7 Simple Techniques to Cut Your Workday in Half

The article says productivity comes more from working smart than from working longer hours. It recommends protecting focused time, handling email and interruptions in planned ways, and using organization to make the workday more manageable.

Reading notes

#

• A violinist who practices intensely for four focused hours can do more than musicians who practice for seven hours less efficiently.
• Checking your phone and email too often breaks focus and can make you work longer than necessary.
• Coming in earlier can make it possible to leave about two hours early.
• Focused time should be treated like money and used carefully.
• It helps to start with the most important tasks instead of the easiest ones.
• Multitasking slows work down and makes it harder to process and remember information.
• Interruptions force you to spend time getting your focus back.
• Setting specific times for email, using folders, turning off notifications, and keeping the email program closed can reduce distraction.
• Organization creates more time in the day, and any system that works for you can help.
• The 5S System is presented as one example: sort, set in order, clean, standardize, and sustain.
• The article says these habits can leave more time for yourself and the people you love.