How to be More Efficient
How to be More Efficient
To be more efficient, you should:
- Develop a strong sense of "goal focus".
- Do only those things that contribute to the achievement of your goal.
- Avoid doing anything that does NOT contribute to the achievement of your goal.
- Prioritise your tasks properly.
- Don't multi-task. Instead, focus and concentrate on the task at hand.
- Delegate as much work as is possible.
- Take regular breaks to refresh and replenish the mind and body.
- Keep good order. Don't be a messy worker.
- Automatise and systematise your work.
Let us say a few words on each.
1. Develop a strong sense of goal focus.
Efficient action presupposes the concept of GOAL. Because efficient action means, "efficiently achieve a goal".
The biggest inefficiency is to be unclear on WHAT it is that you are trying to achieve. Many people waste time doing things that do not contribute to their goal, simply because they have not spent sufficient time thinking about the answer to this all-important question:
"WHAT are you trying to achieve?"
2. Do only those things that contribute to the achievement of your goal.
Now you know your goal, do only those things that relate to the goal. Don't do things that don't relate to the goal. And especially don't do things that are counterproductive to your goal.
Many people suffer because they take one step forward and two steps back.
Make sure every step you take is in the direction of your dreams.
3. Refuse to do those things that do NOT contribute to the achievement of your goal.
See above notes.
4. Prioritise tasks do that you do the most valuable things first.
To achieve your goal, there may be a thousand things that you need to do; But you cannot do them all simultaneously, so you need to prioritise. Prioritisation is the act of putting things into the right order.
Don't do things in order of likeability, or ease, or by random chance.
Think it through logically; do things in the right order.
5. Don't multi-task. Instead, focus and concentrate on the task at hand.
Multi-tasking is the error of trying to do multiple tasks at the same time.
Multi-tasking is FAKE NEWS.
This is a big mistake. If you are driving the car, DON'T text people at the same time.
Instead, focus your mind on the task at hand.
You will get more done in less time if you focus your mind onto a single point.
6. Delegate as much work as is possible.
Because you cannot do everything simultaneously, you need to delegate tasks to other people. Get all the help you can. Utilise the help that is available. Don't think that you can, or should do it, all yourself.
Time is a limited resource, and there is an unlimited demand on your time.
You cannot do it all, so you need to delegate.
7. Take regular breaks to refresh and replenish the mind and body.
Take frequent breaks to allow for recuperation. Recuperation is an often-neglected facet of peak performance.
You have only so much energy, enthusiasm and motivation.
The formula to remember is "Stimulus, response. Stimulus, response. Stimulus, response."
The formula is not, "Stimulus; stimulus; stimulus; stimulus..."
You need to give yourself time to rest, recuperate and allow your body to repair itself. Only by keeping yourself refreshed and replenished, will you succeed.
8. Keep good order. Don't be a messy worker.
Efficient action is ordered action. Disorder, messy, unsystematic action is inefficient and usually fails to achieve the goal.
Do not be fooled by the current trend to idealise chaos. Chaotic action is not efficient.
You would not want to board an aircraft whose cabin crew were in a state of chaos. You only want to board an aeroplane whose cabin crew seem to be ordered, systematic and controlled.
Think of your work as being likened to the flying of an aircraft, where everything is measured, systematised, well ordered and controlled.
9. To the degree that is possible, automatise your work.
Use automatised systems whenever possible. If you can use an automated system to do any aspect of your work, then use it.
Machines make life easier, because machines don't forget to do things, they don't get tired, and they are often more reliable.
Everyone has access to many applications on their phone that will allow them to automatise and systematise many aspects of their performance.
Take advantage of technology.
The difference between you and a cave man is NOT more brains, but more technology. Don't be a primitive cave man (or woman). Use technology to the best degree possible.
Get the machines on your side. Become more efficient and effective.
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Definition: goal focus
Goal focus is the mental skill of fixing a clear aim, holding that aim in mind during the day, ranking jobs by how much they help it, and blocking or dropping work that does not help. When any of these four parts is missing, you no longer have true goal focus.
Show CG4D Definition
- States one clear, specific aim
- Keeps the aim in conscious thought while working
- Ranks and selects tasks by their link to the aim
- Rejects tasks that do not serve the aim
Article Summary
Set a clear goal, do the most valuable task first, focus on one job, delegate the rest, take regular rests, keep a tidy space and use simple tools to handle repeat work; that is how to be more efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What is goal focus and why does it boost efficiency?
How do I decide if a task supports my main goal?
Is multitasking ever a good idea for productivity?
How often should I take breaks to stay efficient?
When should I delegate work rather than do it myself?
What simple ways can I keep my workspace organised?
Which everyday tasks are easiest to automate first?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
Microsoft’s 2024 Work Trend Index shows 68% of office workers say they lack enough quiet focus time each day. Gartner’s 2025 Digital Worker Survey finds staff who use simple automation tools save an average of 2.5 hours per week and lift output by 15%.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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