Work Smarter, Not Harder
Photo by Canva.
Every Thursday, I share one action, habit, or project you may want to undertake in order to improve your health, happiness, and sense of well-being.
If you are finding value in our PROJECT OF THE WEEK Newsletter, we would greatly appreciate it if you would spread the word. Your friends and family can click HERE to sign-up.
PROJECT OF THE WEEK
Work Smarter, Not Harder
The first time I heard the slogan, “Work Smarter, Not Harder” I was a Freshman at Cornell. I remember thinking, YES, of coarse! What a great way to summarize my love and focus on productivity.
I might even go as far as to say that "Work Smarter, Not Harder” is one of my Core Values.
Ironically, I have learned through the years, that working smarter involves a lot of thought, planning, and hard work.
Getting Started
Think about your routine. Think about what you do every day, week, month and year.
What parts could be optimized?
Below are a few ideas:
Create a Scheduling Link for your Calendar - Scheduling meetings can be a nightmare, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re often going back and forth via email trying to find a time that works, investing the time to set up a scheduling link may be a smart solution.
Create an Address List in Excel - If you send out holiday cards every year, consider maintaining an address list in Excel. This will allow you to simply print your addresses on labels whenever you need them.
If you want to take this one step further, print out a page of address labels with your best friend's address. Now it's simple to mail thoughtful handwritten notes.
Ordering - Consider setting up reoccurring orders for items you use on a regular basis. This will save you time on ordering and will likely save you money as well.
I know the fear is that you will end up with too much. Keep in mind that It's just as simple to skip an order or cancel a reoccurring order, as it is to place an order.
Setting Alarms on your Phone - Consider setting repeat alarms on your phone that are labeled. Using alarms strategically can help you take care of tasks at the most efficient time. This can include things like taking a walk, taking 10 minutes to clear your desk, and cleaning out your car daily.
Schedule Repeat Calendar Appointments - Consider adding appointments to your calendar that repeat to support you in managing your time effectively.
Use a Password Manager - Implementing a password manager will eliminate the need to keep track of your passwords, while allowing you to use stronger, more secure passwords.
How are you going to Work Smarter, Not Harder this week?
Ready to Get Started?
If you feel excited about implementing this strategy and want some additional accountability and support to get started, the It’s All in the Planning Starter Pak was designed for you!
A Note from Happy Spaces
The goal is to add value to your life. If you think this project will add value:
Estimate how long you think it will take. I would recommend doubling the time you estimate.
Look at your calendar over the next week and pick a date and time to get started.
Make an appointment on your calendar for the estimated time.
If you estimate that completing this project will take longer than one hour, I recommend doing it over multiple days. This will support you in getting started!
Prior to starting this project, take a few minutes to make a step-by-step list of EVERY action you need to take to complete this project.
It's not all or nothing. You can choose to implement only the parts of this project that add value to your life.
An Accountability Partner can be a great support in following through on your goals and commitments.
We understand how challenging it can be to implement new habits and systems. For additional support please go to HappySpacesBySarah.com.
Creating a life you don't need a vacation from! ®
Sincerely,
Sarah Weingarten
Meet Sarah
Growing up as the oldest of nine siblings in Upstate New York, I learned to use organization to create sanity among the chaos. Today, I work together with individuals, families, and small businesses to create habits, systems, and spaces that support their needs, goals, and dreams. Clients often refer to our work together as "life-changing" and "better than decades of therapy". What I love most about my work is the lasting impact it has on real people's lives. Nothing makes me happier than hearing the many success stories of clients I have worked with.