If you have been in the business world for any length of time, you have heard the phrase, “work smarter, not harder.” It is an idea that is considered the key to maximum productivity. Yet many people have trouble putting it into practice and struggle to get the most out of their workdays. In fact, the key to achieving your daily production goals is actually pretty simple. It can be summed up in another famous quote: “It’s not the hours you put in your work that counts, it’s the work you put in the hours.” It is possible to boost your productivity just by forming six new work habits.
1. Plan Each Day’s Work the Night Before
Every night, make a to-do list of the next day’s tasks and the time you plan to do them. A list helps keep you focused. It’s a tool used by some of the most powerful executives in the world. For instance, every evening, former American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault writes down three things he plans to do the next day.
