Top 15 Examples of Smart Working and How To Do It

Have you been wondering if all your hard work and efforts are even worth it? Are you feeling overwhelmed and burnt out from long hours at Work? You're not alone - many of us have fallen into the trap of equating working hard with working well. But what if there was a better way to achieve your goals without sacrificing your health and sanity? Enter smart working.

What is Smart Working?

Smart working is all about maximizing your productivity through efficient strategies and techniques.

Rather than brute-forcing your way through tasks, you learn to work smarter, not harder. This approach allows you to finish more quickly while feeling energized and focused.

In this blog, we will look at

• 15 Examples of Smart Working Goals For Work

• Work Smarter, Not Harder

• Difference Between Smart Work, Hard Work, and Flexible Work

• Who are Smart Workers?

• 5 Tips for Working Smart

From time management hacks to leveraging the right tools, our blog will help you discover a whole new way of operating that leaves you feeling accomplished and in control. Say goodbye to burnout and hello to a more innovative, more sustainable work style!

15 Examples of Smart Working Goals For Work

1. Prioritization Power:

A Standford Study showed that employees who focused on just 2-3 essential tasks got 50% more done than those working on many less important things.

Think of a marketing leader. As a marketing team leader, you decide to focus strictly on finalizing the campaign launch plan and social media schedule as your top tasks.

Putting all your energy into these priorities helps launch a more successful campaign. Concentrating only on the most critical activities instead of many smaller tasks makes you work and allows you to work more smartly.

2. Automation Advantage:

A McKinsey report showed that companies using automation for repetitive tasks increased productivity by 20%, allowing employees to focus on more critical Work.

Think of a customer service department. As a customer service agent, you can automate tasks like sending password reset emails or answering simple product questions.

This frees up more of your time to resolve complex customer issues that require your attention.

Customers with challenging problems get the dedicated support they need, leading to higher satisfaction overall. Automating the simple stuff allows you to work smarter, not harder.

3. Collaboration Wins:

A Harvard Business Review study found that teams with good communication and collaboration were 21% more profitable than teams that didn't work well together.

Think of a team developing a new product. When developing a new product, you ensure the engineers, designers, and marketing people constantly share ideas and updates. This open collaboration allows your team to spot potential problems early on.

By working together smartly from the onset, you can quickly course-correct, launching a better, more complete product that resonates with customers.

Good cross-functional teamwork and alignment result in offerings that sell better in the market and drive higher revenues.

4. Power of Breaks:

A University of Illinois study showed that employees who took short breaks every hour could focus better and make better decisions than those who worked straight through.

Think of a finance analyst working on a complicated budget report. As a finance analyst, taking quick breaks to walk around or stretch helps clear your mind.

When you return to the report after a brief pause, you can concentrate better and may avoid making costly mistakes. These short mental refreshers allow you to work smarter by boosting your focus on the detailed, high-stakes analysis.

5. Delegate, Don't Drown:

A study by Workplace Learning Today found that when managers delegated tasks well, their team's productivity increased by 33%.

Think of a busy sales manager. As a busy sales manager, you can delegate administrative tasks like scheduling meetings and making reports to your team members.

This frees up more time to focus on coaching the sales team and planning strategies. By working smarter and leveraging your team for routine tasks, you can devote your energy to higher-level activities that drive overall sales success.

6. The Nap Advantage:

A NASA study found that taking short naps during breaks improved pilots' alertness and brain performance by 34%.

Think of a software developer trying to fix a critical bug. As a software developer, taking a quick power nap can help you return to the problem feeling refreshed.

This short mental break may help you find the solution faster and better. By allowing yourself to recharge with a nap, you can approach the coding issue with a fresher mindset and work smarter.

7. Meeting Mojo:

A University of California study found that meetings with clear agendas and time limits resulted in 80% higher employee satisfaction and more focused discussions.

Imagine a weekly marketing team meeting. You have a pre-defined agenda for your weekly meetings with specific topics and time limits for each item.

This structure helps the team stay focused, avoid going off on irrelevant tangents, and ensure everyone leaves feeling like they had a productive meeting. Setting clear agendas and timeboxing discussions enables more innovative, more efficient meetings.

8. Goodbye Multitasking:

A study by the Institute of Neurophysiology and Cognitive Psychology showed that multitasking makes people 40% less productive than focusing on one task at a time.

Think of a graphic designer making a presentation for a client. As a graphic designer, trying to design slides while checking emails and taking calls can lead to mistakes and missed deadlines.

Instead, if you focus solely on creating the presentation first without any distractions, you'll be able to deliver a high-quality presentation on time.

By eliminating multitasking and concentrating fully on the task at hand, you will work smarter and set yourself up for success.

9. The Power of "No":

A study by Pennsylvania State University found that employees who felt comfortable saying no to unimportant work requests had less stress and were more satisfied with their jobs.

Think of a human resources person who gets asked to do many things outside of their main duties. Being able to politely decline requests that aren't relevant allows you to focus on your core responsibilities, like hiring and working with employees.

This helps the HR department run smoother and be more efficient. Tactfully saying no to distractions makes you work smarter by prioritizing your highest-impact activities.

10. Embrace Technology:

A study by Accenture showed that companies using project management software finished projects 15% faster.

Think of a construction project with many teams and deadlines. Project management software allows everyone to communicate in one place, track tasks, and see progress in your construction project.

This transparent communication and organization help you complete the construction project quickly. With all information centralized and visibility into the schedule, you and your teams can work smarter and stay coordinated to meet milestones efficiently.

READ Find out what are the Top 21 Productivity Tools For Employees In 2024

11. The Power of "Why":

A study by Simon Sinek Inc showed that employees who understand their company's purpose and mission are likelier (2.2 times) to be satisfied with their jobs.

Think of a writer who creates content for a social media platform. As a content writer, you can understand the company's goal and write content that aligns with that purpose.

A clear understanding of the overarching aim helps you create better, more relevant content that genuinely contributes to the company's mission. By keeping the bigger picture in mind as you write, you can work smarter and produce resonating work.

12. Invest in Training:

An Association for Talent Development study found that companies that train their employees see a much higher return on investment (218% higher).

Think of a team of accountants who need to use new financial reporting software. Your company provides proper training to ensure everyone knows how to use the system properly.

This upfront investment in training helps avoid costly mistakes and delays when implementing the new software. By having your team learn the tools correctly from the start, you're able to work smarter and make the transition smoothly, ultimately saving the company money in the long run.

13. Dress for Success:

A study by the Kellogg School of Management found that employees who dress professionally feel more focused and productive.

Think of a lawyer getting ready for a critical court case. You carefully select a crisp suit and a professional tie as you get dressed. The familiar routine of grooming and donning formal attire helps to center your mind on the task ahead.

With each button fastened and shoe polished, you slip into a focused state, ready to present a compelling argument in court. The professional attire empowers you, preparing you mentally for the critical case.

14. Music to Their Ears:

Research conducted by Mindlab International revealed that playing classical music while performing certain activities can enhance an individual's ability to process information and maintain focus.

For instance, consider a data analyst tasked with preparing an intricate report involving extensive data sets. You put on some classical music to help you concentrate and identify patterns in the data.

The calm, instrumental music allows you to focus better on analyzing the numbers and information. As a result, the final report you produce is likely to be more accurate and provide more meaningful insights from the data.

15. The Happiness Advantage:

A University of Warwick study found that happy employees are 12% more productive. Creating a positive workplace leads to better results.

Think of a call center that recognizes and appreciates employees. You work at a call center where employees are recognized and appreciated. This positive environment keeps you motivated and happy at your job.

When you feel valued, you naturally put in extra effort to provide excellent customer service. This leads to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty for the business. With a positive workplace culture, you and your coworkers are more productive employees overall.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

We've all been taught that hard Work is the key to success. Putting in long hours and grinding away is seen as admirable.

Imagine Sisyphus, forever condemned to roll a boulder uphill, only to watch it back down again. That's what working hard without a strategy can feel like - a relentless cycle of effort with little progress. You might be working long hours, but are you getting closer to your goals?

Instead of just nose-to-the-grindstone hard Work, working more brilliantly means using your brain. Look for shortcuts, leverage technology, and plan strategically.

Ask yourself - is there an app or tool that could save me time on this task? Is there a more efficient way to get this done? Working smarter is about prioritizing your efforts and focusing on high-impact activities.

READ: 10 Signs to Identify Red Flags in an Interview for Employees

Difference Between Smart Work, Flexible Work and Hard Work

Let us take a how brilliant work, hard work, and flexible Work are different from each other:

Hard Work: This is the classic "nose to the grindstone" approach. It's about putting in the hours and sheer effort, no matter what.

Hard Work is like driving with your foot glued to the gas pedal. You might reach your destination eventually, but it'll be a long, tiring journey with no time to enjoy the scenery.

Smart Work: Smart Work is about being strategic and efficient. It's not just about effort but about finding the cleverest way to achieve your goals.

This is like using a GPS. You plan your route efficiently, take strategic breaks to recharge, and maybe even discover hidden gems. You arrive feeling refreshed and ready to explore.

Flexible Work : Flexible Work is about having freedom and control over how and when you work. It's not about where you sit but about getting the job done in a way that suits your style and needs.

This is like having a convertible! You can adjust your route based on traffic or weather, stop to explore exciting detours, and work at your own pace while still reaching your goals. It's about being free to work how and when it suits you best.

Who Are Smart Workers?

Smart workers aren't just about putting in the hours; they're the problem-solvers and efficiency gurus of the office. They're the ones who can prioritize tasks like a boss, focusing on what truly matters.

They're not afraid to use tech tools to their advantage and know the importance of taking breaks to stay sharp. Basically, they're the folks who get more done in less time, all while looking (and feeling!) relaxed and ready to tackle anything.

5 tips for working smart

1. Prioritize your tasks

Conquering your workload starts with organization and prioritization. Think of your to-do list as a battlefield - urgent deadlines are the enemy generals, and less pressing tasks are the foot soldiers.

By using a tool like the Eisenhower Matrix, you become the strategic commander, sorting tasks into "Urgent/Important," "Urgent/Not Important," and so on. This lets you focus on critical tasks, delegate or eliminate less important ones, and feel like a workplace hero, not a soldier drowning in a sea of sticky notes.

2. Avoid Multitasking

Working smart means ditching the juggling act and focusing on one task at a time. Imagine you're a laser, directing all your energy towards a single point. This laser focus allows you to work more deeply, avoid mistakes, and actually finish tasks faster.

Think of it as giving each task your full attention, like giving a friend your undivided ear during a conversation. You'll not only understand them better, but the conversation will also flow smoother and be more enjoyable for both of you.

3. Delegate or Eliminate

For tasks that are important but not urgent (think reports, data entry, or scheduling meetings), consider delegating them to a team member whose skillset aligns with the task.

This frees you up to focus on the critical battles (urgent and important tasks) that require your expertise and leadership. Remember, a strong leader empowers their team, not try to do everything themselves.

4. Use available resources and tools

Using available resources and tools is a key part of working smart. Take advantage of all the great productivity apps and software that can streamline your Work - find ones that help you schedule better, automate tasks, or collaborate more efficiently.

Your coworkers and mentors are also a valuable resource, so ask them for smarter tips and templates. The internet gives you access to countless online courses, videos and knowledge bases that can teach you better methods.

5. Establish a routine and goals

Having a consistent schedule for different tasks keeps you focused and productive instead of getting distracted and wasting time. Start your day by planning out what you need to accomplish and prioritize based on your goals.

At the same time, stay flexible to adjust your routine if persistent interruptions occur. Having goals to work towards and settled routines to follow ensures you're intelligently deploying your effort in a smart, strategic way.

Conclusions

Believe it or not, some companies are experimenting with letting employees take power naps during the workday! We hope our companies adopt this policy soon!

So, there you have it - the key to working smarter, not harder! By embracing smart working techniques like prioritizing tasks, avoiding multitasking, and leveraging available resources, you can turbocharge your productivity while maintaining your sanity.

Remember, it's not about working more hours but working more efficiently. So, go ahead, give these tips a try, and watch as you conquer your workload like a true productivity ninja!