Do you need tips to transform your work day?
If you feel that your day is not working, that you are working hard and not making progress on your important tasks and a feeling of frustration overwhelms you for not “being productive”, you can rest assured: you are not the only one. Many employees, bosses and business owners feel dissatisfied with their work at the end of the workday, and this mainly has to do with the fact that they believe that “they don’t have enough time.” However, in most cases what is required is not a couple of extra hours in the day, but rather learning and mastering some techniques to make the hours we already have perform at their maximum.
In the book Essentialism, Greg McKeown proposes a “simplifying” strategy whose purpose is not to do more in less time, but to do the right things. According to the author, distinguishing what is absolutely essential and eliminating what is not, that is, focusing on the things that really matter, is the key to a successful and balanced personal and professional life.
Strategies to transform your workday
According to McKeown, these are some keys to getting the most out of your work day… and, in general, your life.
1. Eliminate noise
We’re not talking about isolating yourself from the environment with a pair of headphones (although this is also necessary from time to time): it’s about making simplicity your work style. Have you ever heard that less is more? The author of the book believes that the secret to having a productive day is not seeking to do more things in less time, but knowing how to choose the tasks to carry out. “The path of the essentialist involves learning to identify the difference, filter the options and select those that are truly essential,” he explains. Instead of dividing your time and energy into many activities, learn to spend them wisely. This task requires great discipline, but trust us: the effort will be well worth it.
2. Learn to say “No”
How many times have you regretted committing to something and asked, “why did I say yes to this”? Starting today, before consenting to something, ask yourself: “Can I really fulfill this request considering the time and resources I have?” “Is this the most important thing I should be doing with my time and resources right now?” “If you can’t answer with a resounding ‘yes,’ reject the request,” explains McKeown. Stick only to projects that are significant and valuable to the company. Before long, those around you will begin to respect and value your work like never before.
3. Don’t give in to pressure
How many people you know are not overwhelmed by the pressures that surround them? The author knows this “painful situation” as “The paradox of success.” We tend to commit to completing tasks not because we consider them necessary, but because we give in to the pressures exerted by the environment. The solution? Don’t say yes just to please. If you try to keep everyone happy, you will sacrifice what is most important. “If you don’t set priorities in your life, someone else will,” shares the expert. He said no with firmness, determination and elegance.
4. Focus on solving your problems
Are you that person who has taken on the role of guardian angel and solves everyone else’s problems? You are dealing double damage; yourself and the person you think you are helping. If you take away their problems from others, you are also taking away their ability to solve them. Don’t let others drain your time and energy for their benefit. Raise your fences, that is, set your limits and turn away the people who only waste your time.
5. Do you estimate it will take you 10 minutes? Consider double
People are often overly optimistic about the time they think it will take to carry out their activities. As a result, they frequently arrive late, and live in a constant state of stress and guilt. “The planning fallacy” is a term that was coined in 1979 by Daniel Kahneman, and it refers to the tendency of people to underestimate the time it will take to complete a task. Break this cycle once and for all. Not only will this alleviate the stress of always being late, but it will also allow you to better manage your time.
Editorial Team The editorial team of EMPRENDEDOR.com, which for more than 27 years has worked to promote entrepreneurship.