Have you ever heard the expression Less is More? Essentially it means that sometimes the less you do, the better the end result. So how does this apply to time management? Often we spend more time than necessary on a project, even if it’s less than the amount of time we’ve budgeted. Here are two tips on how you can do more by doing less.
Take breaks and Reward Yourself
Breaks and rewards are one of the most important, yet underemphasized tools of time management. The truth of the matter is a person is not as productive as possible if they spend long periods of time working on one thing. If you budget one hour of time for a project, take a short break after 20 or 30 minutes. It can be as simple as getting up from your desk and walking around the office or even stretching at your desk. This can be helpful for two reasons; first, it gets your blood flowing again, and second, it allows you to return to your work with a fresh set of eyes and a clear head. When you finish the project, reward yourself! It doesn’t need to be a lavish luncheon or a vacation, but it can be something small like calling your family to say hello or buying a new CD that you’ve wanted. Rewarding yourself at the end of a project gives your brain a little serotonin boost which has been proven to be beneficial for increased cognitive function.
Stop working
I know this one sounds a little crazy but sometimes one of the best things you can do for your work is to not work on it. Often we finish a project and then spend more time than necessary tweaking and editing. DON’T DO IT! Not to say that tweaks and edits aren’t important, but too much emphasis on perfection can be a waste of time. After you finish a project, walk away from it. If we start editing our work as soon as we’re done creating it we often have preconceived notions about what needs to be done. Looking at your work with a clear perspective allows you to judge it and edit it more objectively.
So as you can see, sometimes less is more when it comes to work, productivity, and time management. Manage your time by scheduling your breaks and strictly adhering to that schedule. Track the amount of time you spend working on individual projects and see where you can schedule a few more breaks or rewards. By doing so, you’ll actually optimize the amount of time you spend working.
Until next time,
Mary Agnes Antonopoulos
Blogger for OfficeTime, Your #1 Time Tracking Solution
http://bit.ly/OfficeTimeFree
S. Daza
Of course. Less is More makes total sense. If we’ve got a lot on our plate, we became overwhelmed that we don’t even know where to start. Then, we spend more time on the things that are not on our to-do list and we forgot about those stuff that need to get done.
These 2 tips are very effective. I know because I’ve been doing it for years now. Breaks are common on my to-do list and not working is also like my refresh button. Whenever I hit roadblock, I go for a walk or I sleep, then when I get back to work, my mind is again very focused.
If I could add another advice from an equally awesome article that also seems to work for me is Exercise. It releases energy level and improves my focus and concentration.