t n e m e g a r n Ma orne C
WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER
Americans are overworked, overstressed, and overstretched. The impact of the worldwide pandemic is still affecting businesses in many different ways, and rising inflation is creating new worries. We seem to exist in an endless cycle of working hard then harder without an equal return on our investment. In a perfect world, we’d take off on an extended vacation to relax and leave all our troubles behind. But in the real world, we’re all still here trying to figure out how we work smarter instead of harder. Here are some strategies for doing just that: MAKE LISTS. If you’re not a fan of to-do lists, it’s time to develop
TAKE BREAKS. We all get caught
SAY NO. Do you find yourself
up in the workday and forget to
compelled to insert yourself into
give ourselves a break. We think
every team project? Do you say yes
taking a break will put us behind, but the opposite is true. If you don’t take breaks, you
hurting yourself. It’s not fair to you or your team
could experience burnout. Strong mental health
if you take on more than you can handle. Take a
if you know exactly what you need to get done
is the key to surviving an overwhelming workday.
look and your calendar. Ask yourself: Is this the
and when. But you don’t need to just focus on
Feed your brain and soul by allowing it to rest.
best use of my time? If it isn’t, reconsider. Learn to
the habit. You’d be surprised how much more efficiently your day will move
say no, and don’t feel like you have to apologize
what you need to do—you can also make a list of what you don’t need to do. What items can
SLEEP. Speaking of resting, you
for it. If you’re overwhelmed, be diplomatic
you push to tomorrow, or cancel altogether? Are
need to make sure you’re getting
and honest. Say, “I have a lot on my plate, so I’m
there pointless meetings that you can decline or
a good night’s sleep. Studies have
not sure I can give this project the attention it
reschedule? Remember: Your time is valuable.
shown that poor sleeping habits
Lists will help you use each hour wisely. Some
contribute directly to decreased productivity and
people prefer the tried-and-true handwritten
a decline in work performance.
list, and manually marking things off as they are completed, but today, there are also programs
MOVE ON. When a project is over,
and apps that make the task of managing a task
move on—even if it didn’t go the
list even easier. A quick online search will show
way you planned. Don’t get hung up on perceived failures or mistakes.
you the most popular options. Chances are the email program you use has one built it and
Learn from them and apply that lesson to future
Google also offers one.
projects. Forward is the way to focus when your plate is full.
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when you should say no? You’re only
JULY 2022 | FENCE NEWS USA
deserves.”
