Aiming For Efficiency

Updated: May 27, 2020

As career counselors and coaches (and spouses/partners, parents, teachers, friends, caregivers, etc.), we juggle numerous roles and tasks–all of which compete for our attention. We must never lose sight of the value of efficiently and effectively determining what is truly important among our myriad responsibilities. ~ David M. Reile, Ph.D.

Photo by Engin Akyurt on Unsplash

FOCUS ON: Starting the Day Well

Looking to improve your level of efficiency, from the very first moment of your work day? Taking time to organize your work, tackling the task you’re dreading most, and delaying your involvement with email can be great ways to help you focus. Read more ways to set a great standard for productivity.

FOR PRACTITIONERS: Break It Up

It’s Monday, and you’ve got a long day – not to mention a long week – ahead of you. The “to-do” pile on your desk is threatening to take over your office, and deadlines are looming. Surely the best approach is to dive in and work as hard as you can, for as long as you can, only stopping to refuel on caffeine. Right? Well, maybe not. Evidence is now showing that taking breaks throughout your day can help you be more productive (and less stressed). Intrigued? Take a break to read more now.

JOB SEARCHING: Rest to Remember

Perhaps this is a familiar scenario: in the middle of an interview, you suddenly forget a crucial detail about the company itself, though you’d prepared as well as you could. Later on, you wonder what you could have done differently. As it turns out, maybe a few minutes of resting after reading through the company’s website would have helped. New research is pointing towards the benefits of wakeful rest as a helpful tool in retaining information, so the next time you have something important to remember, slowing down for a minute can be a great use of time.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: Studying Efficiently

College is, of course, a time for growth, exploration, and independence. For many students, though, that new-found freedom also brings with it an uncertainty about how to study efficiently. Luckily, changing a few habits can lead to big results. From turning off wireless access to staying healthy and balanced, there are a lot of simple ways to take charge of time, and study both efficiently and well. PsychCentral shares its list of effective study habits.

TOP TEN: Habits to Learn from Successful People

Wondering what Stephen King would advise in order to become a successful author? Curious about whether or not your video game habit can help you be more productive? Take a minute to check out what 10 leaders from different fields have to say about becoming more productive in work and in life.