Work Smarter – Not Harder [Infographic] | Confessions of the Professions

Matthew Gates http://notetoservices.com 2m 612

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Figuring Out How To Work Smarter, Not Harder

Every job comes with tons of chores and responsibilities to perform each day or each week, all which are noticeable if not done, and are considered as part of your job, even if it was not in the job description when you got hired, yet you are expected to do those tasks or explain why you are not doing your job. There are many ways to make your job easier and get a lot of those menial tasks done with ease.

If you find yourself thinking that you were not hired to do this mundane and menial work, such as getting the boss a cup of coffee, wiping off the display board in the conference room, write down notes for the discussions in the office meeting, cleaning out the office refrigerator, answering every email that comes in with a question, or even having to take a vacuum across the office rug everyday, you are probably right, but it is technically your job, and you are expected to do it. There are some tasks that you must do and there is not way to “work smarter and not harder”, but there are still plenty of things you can do to make your job easier and “work smarter, not harder.”

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This infographic offers some tips and advice for working smarter, not harder.

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Work Smarter – Not Harder

Getting ahead in your career does not always mean sucking up to the boss or putting in 60 hours a week.

Some simple mental tricks can improve your efficiency and the quality of your work without keeping you in the office all night.

Keep a progress bar for a key project and fill in the sections as you complete a task.

If you do not need to respond to an email or speak up in a meeting this very second, wait five minutes. This period can help you form a response, and the added time may make you rethink your position entirely.

Prime the pump; keep your mind sharp by reading things that challenge your assumptions or beliefs. Read something new and challenging every day.

47% is the percentage of workers who report being completely satisfied with the recognition they receive on the job.

Work in 20-minute chunks, followed by a few minutes of physical activity such as walking to the water cooler or going to the restroom and taking a longer route back to your desk.

If you’ve got a particularly challenging issue or project you always seem to put off, devote 30 to 60 minutes a day to that problem and that problem only. If you find yourself with an excuse not to do it, simply repeat, “Do it now.”

Keep a file of positive feedback and revisit it when you are feeling particularly stumped or less than appreciated.

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Do not let roadblocks put you in a funk. Pick some smaller tasks you know you can truly complete. Use that momentum to create a snowball effect.

Do not allow your communication methods to dictate what you get done in a day. Set certain periods of time throughout the day (say, three 30-minute periods) to tackle your email, cellphone, and instant messaging.

1 in 3 Workers say they are completely or partially dissatisfied with their on-the-job stress

1 in 3 Workers who say they are enthusiastic about and actively engaged in their jobs

Timeline of Worker Satisfaction

Percentage of adults employed full time or part time who report being completely satisfied with their jobs

1998 28%
2001 41%
2005 42%
2008 48%
2011 47%

Matthew Gates is a freelance web designer and currently runs Confessions of the Professions.

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