How to Get a Full Day’s Work Done in Half the Time

With the three most common stressors in the UK being money, work and health*; it probably comes as no surprise that the regular 9-5 routine has many Brit’s living a life full of stress.

Packing a full day’s work into 8 hours can be tricky, especially if it’s every day, but what if you could half the amount of time you spend on your work? Whether it’s University essays, filling out spreadsheets for work or packing your everyday tasks into one day, halving the time you take to complete your tasks will not only help you get more done but also help you be less stressed day to day. Through a few simple steps, you can manage your tasks and cut your work time in half without compromising the quality of your work.

From getting enough sleep to doing the washing up, the little things can affect how motivated, focused and alert we are for the day ahead. Before your busy day, be sure to get any everyday tasks which are weighing on your mind completed. Next, make sure to take care of yourself with healthy food, a good sleep schedule and by staying away from harmful substances and alcohol – no matter how tempting a pint at the pub might be. Having a clear head and being physically healthy has a huge impact on our ability to get work done, and according to the National Sleep Foundation, getting enough sleep is vital for innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Often, it’s our own minds which can act against us when we try to get many different tasks done in one day. It is tempting to get the easiest or most enjoyable task done first, and leave the harder tasks until later, however according to Liquid Planner it is more productive to tackle the lengthier tasks which require most effort, first. Assessing your priorities might not feel like it can save you time (as you have the same list of items you need to get done, just in a different order) however planning out your tasks can help not only put your mind at ease when completing each one but can also help you get in the zone and help you complete tasks to a tight time schedule without stressing out.

When there’s a lot on our plate, it can be tempting to multi-task and get bits of different tasks done so it feels like you have achieved more. However, one of the key secrets to getting work done quickly and efficiently is by getting in the zone. There are a number of factors to consider when getting in your zone, and it can be different depending on the person and the activity. Some of the main points to making sure you can focus on the tasks you need to do is:

These steps are often the best way to make sure you will focus on a task, however some people find that extra environmental tweaks such as soft classical music, a cup of coffee or working in a public area such as a café with subtle background noise make it easier to concentrate.

Planning is a key component to getting complex tasks done, whether it’s going through and replying to emails or writing an essay for university. By planning out what you are/aren’t going to focus on first, and how you are going to approach your task, you make sure you can see the task in its entirety first to avoid the pitfall of spending too long on one part of it or wondering which part to tackle when. Next, especially when it comes to writing essays, articles or presentations, getting started can be a stumbling block for many of us. To just sit down and start writing can help get your mind focussed on the task and begin the flow of ideas to get your task done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Plus, it sure beats staring at an intimidating blank screen for ten minutes wondering what to write! Whatever you have, whether you think it’s good or not, just start writing. Draft your work and you can always come back to change it later on.

Getting your work done quickly and efficiently doesn’t have to be something to stress over. By planning out what you are going to do, prioritising tasks and finding your own way to get into “the zone” you can tackle any task in half the time.

Avoiding procrastination and getting started on your work is often half the task; but with our step by step guide you can be sure to make the most of your working hours and have more time to enjoy the fun things in life!