Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here.
Many of us may have already dropped our New Year’s Resolutions by now, but I personally believe there’s no wrong time to make a positive change in your life. Here are some tips for those looking to be more efficient in 2023.
Break Tasks Down Into Smaller Pieces
The urge to procrastinate is hard to resist and I’ve learned that breaking down work into smaller chunks is very helpful when trying to concentrate. When looking at a big project or task, take a step back and zero in on what can be done first. One of the easiest ways to do this is to allocate a manageable amount of time you can dedicate each day to working on the project to make it feel more manageable.
Figure Out What Needs to Be Done First
Whether it’s for work or chores at home, look at what you need to do and think to yourself “What could cause a problem if I don’t get it done now?” For work, if a specific task is due that day, you’ll want to make finishing it a priority. At home, if you’re choosing between cleaning up a spill on the living room carpet or cleaning the oven, you’ll want to focus on cleaning up the spill before a stain can set. Prioritizing your tasks each day helps you become more productive on a day-to-day basis.
Write Down a List of Your Tasks for Reference
Many of us are leading busy lives with to-do lists we can’t keep straight from day to day. If you’ve got a busy day or week ahead of you, take a few minutes to write down a list of everything you need to get done. It can be easy to lose track of what you should be doing, so it’s handy having a list to refer back to. Plus, if you’re someone like me who loves having a to-do list to check off, you’ll feel even more accomplished when you finish!
Learn to Say “No”
Sometimes in the name of being efficient, we say “yes” to everything thrown our way. But to be efficient, you can’t take on more than you can handle. Learn to know when your plate is full and be comfortable turning down others so you can prioritize yourself.
Take Breaks
One of the most crucial parts of being more efficient is taking a break. If you’re operating at full speed 100% of the time, you’re bound to burn out. Your body and mind need time to recuperate if they’re going to be as efficient as you want them to be. If you want recommendations on books to read in your downtime, check out my blog here.
When your life gets busy, it’s easy to succumb to the stress and get overwhelmed, but life doesn’t have to be that way. I hope these tips will help guide you so that your life throughout 2023 is more efficient than ever.
Michael Gortenburg, Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Michael Gortenburg 