Work Smart: How to Work Less and Achieve More

As everybody knows, there are no shortcuts to success!  Similarly, the perfect solution that will minimize our work while giving desired results-doesn't exist. But a combination of strategies can make your path to success -short and smooth.

Here are a few tips that can make a big difference, and when used together, your work life might just be enjoyable, productive, low-stress and high fun. These tips won't work for everyone. They're not meant to be used as a step-by-step guide. It's a list of strategies that work - choose your favorites and give them a try.

Be Focused. One Mission. One Goal.

Don’t try to be Jack of all trades, but master of none. The world needs specialists. Set a single goal that you want to accomplish in a specified time period. We usually have a list of goals, but the resources (time, material as well as desire) are limited. It's too difficult to maintain your focus on more than one goal, and it diffuses your energy.

Pick one goal for the next 12 months and identify the milestones that lead to your goal. Then make the first milestone as your goal for next 2-3 months. Then further breakdown the milestone into short term goals, which you can accomplish within the next 1-2 weeks. Now focus on that short-term goal, giving it all your energy, and when it's achieved, set your next short-term goal until you've accomplished your first milestone. These short term goals will be your steps to success.

Find your passion.

Do the work you're passionate about. If you're not in a job you love, start your quest to find that job now. Don't quit your current job right away. First, think about what you're really interested in, talk to others who are doing what you would like to do. Once you have discovered what you would like to do, make a plan for transition into the new role. Develop necessary skills and abilities, if you don’t have. Don’t give up until your mission is accomplished.

Identify ‘Most Important Tasks (MITs)’

Every morning, make a list with only three items: the three Most Important Tasks you want to accomplish today. Include at least one MIT related to your One Goal. The other two MITs might be something related to your day to day life or a big project that's due today, or something similar. Ideally, these MITs are really important tasks. These MITs will gain you recognition or income in longer term.

Now focus on these, making sure to accomplish them. It's best to do your MITs first thing in the morning, before you get interrupted by a bunch of other things. If you can do only three things today, make sure these are your MITs.