There are just not enough hours in the day. It feels like you're working harder than ever. You're getting results but you feel burnt out and too drained to enjoy your downtime.

This can be an easy habit to fall into. When you're working harder, it's difficult to switch off at the end of the day or enjoy your weekends without thinking about work.

Alas, there is another way! Working smart.

But what does it really mean to “work smart”, and how can you smash your daily goals and still have energy (and time!) left over to do what really matters to you?

Here are some tips that can help:

1. Eat a live frog every morning

In other words, stop procrastinating and do your worst task first! Mark Twain famously said that if the first thing you do in the morning is eat a live frog, you can spend the rest of the day knowing the worst is already done. Your frog is your worst task, and you should do it first thing.

2. Automate

Thanks to smart tech innovations, technology can now make us way more efficient! Maximise productivity by setting up automation to do tedious tasks like emails, social media and payments.

Automation software in digital marketing has transformed the way my clients work, saving them time and resources, so they can focus on the strategy and operations of the business. We are lucky to live in the digital age, so use it to your advantage!

3. Take a break

It's just as important to schedule breaks into your day as it is to get your work done. Based on ultradian rhythms, your brain is able to stay focused for only 90 minutes on average, and then you need at least 15 minutes of rest. By taking breaks roughly every 90 minutes, you refresh your mind and body, ready for another 90 minutes of high activity.

4. Turn off your notifications

Have you ever been in the zone working away, then an email notification pops up and you get this strong urge to click? Same! It's subconscious; you don't even realise you're doing it.

E-mail is one of the biggest productivity killers that often leads to people working hard not smart. Beware of this debilitating “switch tasking”. By the time you go back to your original task, remember where you left off and refocus, valuable time has been wasted.

5. Leave work on time

It's 5pm, you have a to-do list the length of your arm and a pile of emails in your inbox that you need to reply to. It can be very difficult to walk away from the desk. But it's so important to have some work/life balance and enjoy yourself outside of work.

Why not try scheduling something after work? You could meet a friend for dinner, go for a massage, learn a language, join F45 – whatever takes your fancy! Just make sure you take time out, so you can come back tomorrow with a fresh perspective.

In Stephen Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, he talks about a concept called “sharpening the saw”:

“Sharpen the Saw means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have - you. It means having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual.”

So to be truly productive and successful, it's all about looking after yourself and striving for balance.

By using these steps to accomplish more each day, you'll bring balance into every area of your life and avoid getting burnt out. Sometimes doing less, actually achieves more.

Call me on 03 8606 0397 if you want to know more about my clients who pride themselves on a work/life balance culture.