10 Work Smart Not Hard Examples

23 Jan 2025

Using an Alarm to Wake Up Early

1. Instead of forcing yourself to wake up early without a system, use a timed alarm that gradually increases in sound to ease your transition to waking.

Setting Priorities with the 80/20 Rule

1. Focus on the 20% of tasks that will yield 80% of results. For example, spend more time on tasks that have the most impact on your personal growth.

Mind-Mapping for Goal Setting

1. Use a mind map to organize your goals rather than writing long to-do lists. This helps visualize what needs to be done, saving time and energy.

Batching Tasks

1. Instead of jumping between different activities, group similar tasks together. For example, batch all your reading or writing tasks for the day.

Automating Tasks

1. Use apps to automate certain habits. For example, use a reminder app to schedule exercise or meditation, so you don’t have to keep thinking about it.

Delegating Learning

1. Instead of reading everything yourself, listen to summaries or podcasts about self-improvement topics to get the gist of a book or topic in less time.

Using Templates

1. For recurring tasks like journaling or goal tracking, use templates or frameworks that help you complete them faster without overthinking.

Breaking Large Goals into Small, Achievable Steps

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by large goals, break them down into bite-sized tasks.

Exercise in Short Bursts

1. Instead of spending hours at the gym, try high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which can deliver great results in just 15-20 minutes.

Using Digital Tools for Tracking Progress

Instead of manually tracking everything, use apps or software to track habits, goals, and productivity, so you can easily monitor progress without spending extra time.