4 Tips to Work Smarter, Not Harder

The other day, I got out of bed, drank some coffee and drove to work. I blinked, and the next thing I knew it was 5 o’clock p.m., and the day was over.

Sometimes, the day goes by so fast that I can’t remember if I even ate my lunch. Therefore, it’s doubtful that I had time to take a moment to relax. But no matter how busy you are, taking time to de-stress is important for your sanity, and your success.

With your busy schedule in mind, here are four tips for working smarter, not harder, courtesy of Dan Pink’s Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself. Hopefully they’ll help you not only keep your sanity, but maybe even thrive, during a crazy work week.

Make a “to don’t” list. We all have things we waste time on that we shouldn’t, such as surfing our Facebook newsfeeds. Is knowing what your neighbor ate for breakfast really all that important? Instead of using Facebook as a mental break, read a useful article (like this one, haha) instead.
Establish both opening and closing rituals. Winding up and winding down for the work day can be difficult. However, establishing “rituals” that you do every single day can make this process easier. For example, I personally like to check my email first thing in the morning, every morning. This helps me feel like a have a handle on anything that came in overnight.
Take at least one day for yourself. Recent research found that employee output falls sharply after a 50-hour work-week, and falls even more sharply after 55. As a result, working seven days a week gets you nowhere. So go ahead, take that day off! You not only deserve it, but it may be vital to your productivity.
Laugh. Science has proven that laughter triggers the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. So if you’re feeling stressed, watch a funny Youtube video or have your employees share their best jokes. You’ll be feeling better in no time.

What are your tips for working smarter, versus harder?