Achieve more by working less.
Published in · 5 min read · Sep 24, 2017
--
In today’s world, we resolve our lives around work. We are so much obsessed with it, that all we do is work, sleep, and repeat. The 40 working hours per week have become below normal, and it started expanding to 60,80 or even 100. Weekends also turned out to be like any regular working day.
We forgot how to live life.
Health Risks From Overworking
If you think that working 12–14 hours a day won't have a negative impact on your health than you are lying to yourself. Before we start, I would like to mention some of the health risks that can occur from overworking:
- 60% higher risk of heart-related problems
- Chronic sleep debt
- Boosting stress
- Obesity
- Increased risky alcohol use
- Type 2 diabetes
These are just a few of the many negative points that occur from overworking. But, I think you got the idea.
It's a simple rule that has helped many people balance their lives. I have started following this rule a few months back and could tell the improvements right away. The 8–8–8 rule represents the 24 hours that we have each day. In order to achieve a balanced life, we need to split the 24 hours into three parts.
The first part of the rule tells us to spend 8 hours a day on working, and not a single minute more. This is completely possible if you manage your time right. And here are some tips that can help you achieve that.
#1 Follow the 80/20 rule.
Another rule, but oh well… 😏 Known as the Pareto Principle, this rule tells us that 80% of the results come from 20% of activities. Find the activities that drive the greatest results and focus on them. Ignore the rest.
#2 Measure effectiveness
Start working for an hour at your very best. Detect your weaknesses and strengthen them. Test new techniques and search for tools that can save you time during work. Do anything you can think of that can improve that hour. When you’ve reached the most effective hour, apply it to the next 7 hours.
#3 Remove time wasters
Remove everything that distracts you while working. For example, checking your social media profile can be a big time consumer. It can easily put you out of focus for a longer period of time.
#4 Delegate
Learn how to delegate tasks as much as possible. Don't be the one who does everything. For example, you have 2 tasks. (1)To print some documents that will take you 30 mins, (2) a task that is very important for the organization. Find a suitable person for the printing task, and focus on the more important one.
#5 Learn to say NO
It's easy to say "yes" to everything, but it's really hard to say "no". Learn to reject more often, and don't give your 8 hours a day that easy. For example, if you are already full with work today, just reject everything coming at you.
“The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say ‘no’ to almost everything.”- Warren Buffet
#6 Define your daily tasks in the morning
Usually, we are working until we have energy in us. Let's change that way of working, by defining the daily tasks before the work starts. Set a realistic and clear plan about what needs to be done today and jump on it. Even if you finish in 5–6 hours, just stop there. You are done for today, and I am sure that your satisfaction level will grow.
For example, you have 15 tasks to be done in 3 days. Just split them on 5 per day and what is more important try to have the same weight of tasks for each day. You don't want to end up picking the heaviest tasks in one day.
You are done working for today. A new 8 hour round starts now, and this one is all for you. Each one of us has some hobby. Enable it in this period of the day. Whether is blogging, reading a book, playing guitar, watching a movie, meeting your friends, going to the gym. I would also recommend to go and explore new things. Stuff you always wanted to do, but never have done it before.
This time is all about focusing on your private life. Doing things that will reduce stress and boost your health. Also, things that will bring you joy and make you feel alive.
Any physician and medical research are pointing out that the human needs around 8 hours of sleep in a single day. It is that period of the day where you need to regain your energy for the upcoming one. Not having a regular 8-hour sleep, brings a lot of health risks. I don't have much to say here because all you need to do is sleep. 🛌 Take this seriously!
