We all want to be more efficient in the workplace. However, what can we do on a daily basis to achieve this goal? Follow these suggestions to become more efficient in the office:
Always Prioritize:
Prioritize tasks according to time commitment and level of importance. Don’t forget to prioritize in terms of daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly commitments. Perhaps more important than setting these priorities is keeping track of what you accomplish. As you complete tasks, check them off your to-do list. Look for patterns in your productivity: tracking your efficiency may reveal what times of day you are naturally more productive. Schedule breaks during your lull periods and focus on work or meetings when you are at your most productive.
Take Care of Yourself:
Business leaders often overlook their own health and wellbeing. Many executives ignore the classic warning signs of illness. Richard Kief, chief philanthropy officer and senior vice president at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, explains in a 2017 article how he put his life at risk by prioritizing his career over his health. Kief says he “ignored the classic signs, I didn’t listen to my wife and I rationalized things . . . it was easier to fool myself about me than about anything else.” After failing to complete a simple bike ride, Keif admitted to himself he had a medical problem. He had to endure several weeks of testing which culminated with a cardiac catheterization. It is essential that business leaders establish healthy eating, sleeping and exercise routines that they make a priority throughout their lifetime.
Check Yourself:
It is important that you, perhaps with the feedback of a business coach or mentor, are always asking yourself if what you are doing is necessary and if you are performing the task in the most efficient manner. Productivity can always be improved.
Measure Daily Success in Terms of Accomplishments:
Studies show that the longer you sit, the less able your body is to break fat down into energy. In short, a lack of movement equals a decline in energy. You should begin to think of success in terms of what is accomplished during the day as opposed to how many hours worked. Studies show that, for many people, working in 90-minute increments is the most effective pattern. Taking regular breaks is essential in maintaining a healthy mind, body and spirit.
Disconnect:
As many business leaders know, current technology can be a real time saver – whether your are connecting with employees on a project, pitching a idea to a new client or making logistical arrangements. However, be careful not to fall down the rabbit hole where social media and cell phones become a major distraction. Even small breaks to check your smart phone can add up in a day’s time. Get off your devices – power down, go off grid and focus on the task at hand.
Delegate:
The most obvious way to be more efficient – and perhaps the most difficult to implement – is to delegate tasks to your employees. Delegating and giving up control is very difficult. The successful company that you have build is a reflection of you and your dreams. However, checking over every small detail yourself is a waste of everyone’s valuable time. Instead, give responsibilities to qualified employees and trust they will do a great job. This requires that you know your employees well enough to match the job responsibilities to their behavioral and work style. After all, you hired them for a reason!
DeSantis Trusted Advisors works with a variety of CEOs and other executives to analyze and improve their efficiency and productivity. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more.
