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5 tips to be efficient at work
What is the key to performing and delivering more in less time? Find out!
Have you heard that classic tale about the two woodcutters?
One of the two woodcutters was strong, whereas the other was lean and weak.
Yet the latter could chop down more trees in a day as compared to the other.
The question 'Why was this happening?' stressed the other woodcutter.
One day, he decided to ask the weak guy how the secret behind his strength.
The lean and weak woodcutter, who could chop down more trees in a day replied: "After every tree I cut, I rest for two minutes, and in those two minutes, I sharpen my axe."
Moral: It wasn't his hard work that was paying him good results; rather it was his smart work that got him more in less time and effort.
'Smart work' is the key to unlock the efficiency that you hold.
Here are a few more tips to sharpen your efficiency and finish the work in the given deadline.
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Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com
1. Make good use of the clock
Don't be in a rush to finish things.
Allot time slots and deadlines for each of the tasks you're set to perform.
Set aside some time to think, plan and strategise as well.
If you really want to save hours and finish work well within the deadline, you must plan in advance.
Before you start with any new task for the day, devote few minutes on planning and preparing your to-do list and thinking how to execute it properly.
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Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com
2. Prioritise
After you have prepared your to-do list, list down your priorities.
Mark a big star next to the most important ones and work upon those at the beginning of the day.
Once the most important tasks are taken care of, the less important ones can be finished off in much less time.
If you practice this frequently, you will be able to clearly distinguish between a busy and a productive day.
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Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com
3. Specify deadlines
Most of us while preparing a to-do list, merely assign deadlines, but rarely specify it.
For all your assigned deadlines add a timeline -- fixed or moveable.
Make sure that the deadlines are free from unrealistic expectations or poor time-management.
By setting up realistic deadlines, you can garner better results.
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4. Delegate the unimportant tasks
Are you doing this work just because you have to do it, or because you are good at it?
The answer to this question should help you decide what tasks to keep for yourself and what to delegate.
Because, you cannot simply do everything.
In most cases, it would be wiser to delegate it, particularly if it is not worth your quality time.
If you can try and convey this to the concerned person who has assigned you the task, you can utilise the same time to do something bigger and important.