16 Pieces of Advice You Need to Hear If You Want to Be More Efficient

Of course, everyone would like to be more efficient, more decisive and better at managing all their responsibilities. However, today we hear so much advice on how to be more successful everyday that it’s hard to decide where to start.

Some people are able to manage every moment in a way that allows them to have more time for themselves and still achieve everything they set out to do. All of them have a unique way of doing this, but we’ve gathered 16 tips that most of these efficient people might give you. Read carefully so you can join their club:

1. Write things down.

We know it sounds pretty trivial but, but believe us – no efficient person will agree that it is. If you are shopping and some idea comes to your mind, stop and just write it down. Even if it might seem like an unimportant trick, try it out. You can analyze, elaborate or dismiss it later, but if you don’t write it down, it is gone forever.

Same goes for your daily obligations. Just write everything down.

2. Stop worrying.

Most of you will roll your eyes on this one. However, it’s an important one. Worry is interest paid on trouble before it is due. Plus, it harnesses fear and that is something you definitely don’t want to happen in case you are planning on being efficient and successful. Develop a strong backbone and work at success in spite of your fears and worries. They won’t get you anywhere. Be constructive. Stay mentally and spiritually strong in the face of difficulties and painful circumstances. The only way you can do that is by replacing worry and fear with determination.

3. Don’t multitask.

Do you think you are good at multitasking? Then you must be in the 5% of people who can solidly focus on more than 1 or 2 tasks, especially if they require focus and depth. If you are not that special, then stop doing it and stop accomplishing less while presenting poor quality work. A concentrated effort leads to better work results in less time. So, from now one, one task at the time.

4. Prioritize.

Now that you realized you need to stop multitasking, you have to choose your next step carefully in order not to mess up your progress plan. Start prioritizing wisely and in a practical manner. Remember that working on a project is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Train your mind, body, and spirit for the long haul.

5. Learn from your mistakes.

However, never allow yourself to wallow in them. Always keep in mind that strategic missteps and tactical errors are a part of growth. Remember that they can often provide the most powerful insights and correction for future success. Be quick in fixing the problem and learn from those experiences.

6. Be a good student, even after college.

Never stop learning. Stay up-to-date on industry developments and advancements. Be determined in your decision to learn new things every day. Mark out at least 30 minutes each day for reading on new technologies and industry trends and predictions in your line of work. It will be a perfect mental gym for you. You will sharpen your instincts and knowledge base, while at the same time you will be ahead of all the possibilities for your industry.

7. Embrace honesty in your everyday communication.

No matter how hard it is sometimes, do your best to rely on truth. This way you will be protected from any possible complications that might get in your way for trying to sugarcoat any unattractive information.

8. Wake up early.

Early bird gets the worm.  This saying is based on nothing but the truth and logic.

9. Actively remove distractions.

Try isolating yourself from all the clutter life might put in front of you. Start from putting on noise-canceling headphones to disciplining yourself not to waste time on the internet, even though “it’s just a small break for clearing your mind”. With less distraction, your concentration increases exponentially, and you are much more productive. New won’t go anywhere, they will just get worse so, basically, you are not missing out on anything.

10. Have zero or close to zero unread emails.

Try not to leave any email unread. You must be wondering how to do that? Well, first, as often as possible – when you get an email, respond to it right away if you find it important. If it’s not that important, respond within 24 hours. If it’s close to spam, just click archive.

11. Be friendly to strangers.

You never know who are you commuting with or who your fellow elevator passenger might be. Maybe your new CEO or your future client? Just in case, be kind and friendly. On top of that, having a short and polite conversation will give you the energy to go out and take on the rest of your day. Getting a quick insight into someone else’s world and life can help you refocus and prioritize what’s happening in yours.

12. Ban phone from the dining table and your bedroom.

Allow yourself to detach and restart for a new day. In most cases, almost nothing happens during the night. And, if it does, you probably can’t do anything about it until tomorrow.

13. Do sports.

Having a strong, healthy body will get you miles ahead. You need a body that will endure and support you in your working rhythm. Doing sports will get you far from fatigue and frustration. Try to eat healthy as well.

14. Never give up.

Create a balance between different aspects of your work. Use different points of view, different tools, and a little muscle. Take all the time you need to adjust your approach. And try it over and over again. Eventually success will come.

15. Pay attention to details.

Attention to details is very helpful when it comes to growing sales and earning customer confidence. Go with your gut and don’t deviate from your brand’s mission and vision. Every detail counts.

16. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

Taking a calculated risk and trying new things can lead to innovation. You can’t do that if you keep thinking about how others see you.