How I Work Smart

And the award for "The Best Procrastinator" goes to...
 
 
 
Yes, you guessed it - me. I'll admit, I'm a lazy bugger sometimes. I'm the person who puts tasks off to the last minute (sometimes) because This Morning are showing a UK tree that is up for European Tree of the Year. Not that I have a huge interest in trees, but it's daft things like that that distract me easily.


How I Work Smart


The procrastinating habit was one I was determined to break at the start of 2020. Easier said than done my friends. It's a toughie to break. It can be tricky to break habits of a lifetime eg eating chocolate, buying new bras etc. I needed to find a way to work smart. To focus all of my focus on my to do lists, getting things done and what not.
 
 
I started making to do lists at the start of this year and it has honestly been life changing in regards of my work/life balance. Getting jobs done in minimal time has helped improve my work/life balance. Rather than putting off the inevitable, it's just so much more satisfactory grabbing the Biro and ticking off an item on the to do list. It's an even better, fulfilling feeling when you tick off ALL of the tasks on your to do list for that day!


How I Work Smart
One thing that I have learnt about working smart is that my days feel like they have more of a purpose, if that makes sense? I feel like when I have a to do list to tackle, I feel motivated to get tasks done. It's like being in school, you get that story about the dragon and princess written, then you're allowed free time to go and play with the Lego. Nowadays I swap the dragon and princess story for writing blog posts and the Lego for a binge watch of Friends.
I've also learnt that you don't have to make this so hard on yourself. Spread your tasks out. Give yourself time to have a break in between errands. Breaks help me to recharge. Also my eyes do need a break from looking at a square screen after a while. I don't fancy having square eyes. It wouldn't be a good look. It's a great time for you to grab a cuppa and a chocolate hob knob.


How I Work Smart
Working smart doesn't have to be taken so seriously. It's up to you how you do it. It's whatever works best for your way of working and living. We all work in different ways, we all differentiate chores. Just because Sandra in the office likes to do her tasks at 100mph, doesn't mean that you have to. Work at your own pace. Let's be frank, working at a steadier pace means a more productive day rather than rushing around like Usain Bolt after he's drank 10 bottles of Lucozade trying to complete jobs.




How you work is up to YOU.




Lucy
32 comments
  1. I completely agree with you, sometimes I feel incredibly overwhelmed with how much work I have that needs doing I end up doing none of it! Taking a task at a time sounds like a great idea!

    Loved this blogpost!!

    https://www.lucyjadewrites.com/

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    1. It's always better to do tasks one at a time, it makes life so much easier! Thank you Lucy! x

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  2. Thanks for sharing these great at tips!

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  3. I become lazy sooo easy, thanks for sharing these tips! To-do lists are my fave things to make me becoming more productive!

    www.thediaryofellie.com

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    1. I love to do lists too Ellie, they're so useful!

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  4. I find giving youself breaks at certain points like after you've finished writting a post going to have a cuppa,helps to keep me motivated for longer x

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    1. You can't beat a cuppa as a reward for a finished blog post! x

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  5. This is such a great post. I am a firm believer in one size doesn't fit all when it comes to motivation and procrastination. I too suffer from the latter and have found the best way is to not fight it per se, but to work around it. I can get distracted by TV sometimes too so I started taking my laptop with me and working while watching. Can't say the best work get's produced but it's always a great starting point for editing after that show has finished hahahaha!

    Sxx
    daringcoco.com

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    1. Thank you Sonia! I watch TV while writing all of the time! It would be easier to turn the TV off but you get so addicted to a show that may be on TV! x

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  6. I totally agree with you about to do list being a big motivator and that days feel like they have more purpose when you're working towards completing one too. I definitely couldn't function properly without one. I'm glad you've found a way that works well for you! x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. I can't function without a daily to do list either Sophie! x

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  7. I don't feel like I've fully found how best I work yet but I definitely know what helps and what doesn't! Sitting up somewhere to do work is definitely something I need as if I'm in bed, I end up falling asleep...oops! To do lists do help me but can overwhelm me sometimes if I have a lot to do so I try and do a "priority" list and a "if I have time" list, too!
    Alice Xx
    www.blacktulipbeauty.co.uk

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    1. I try not to work in bed for that same reason Alice! With to do lists, I never add loads of things to do as it's hard to complete the tasks then you end up feeling down when you don't get it all done! I'm going to try and break up my to do list in that way, that's a brilliant idea! xx

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  8. Thank you for the wonderful tips Lucy! I will definitely be thinking about this and making changes!

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  9. I can be really bad with procrastinating at times, I’ll want to do something then I get off course and do something totally different but having a to do list has really helped to keep me in track! X

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    1. I can be a right procrastinator too Aaliyah! To do lists are the best! x

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  10. Your post reminded me that I am MUCH more efficient when I make a "to do" list. I do it for other things but not for blogging. I need to start doing that! Thanks for the encouragement.

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    1. I'm the same babe! To do lists are the best!

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  11. Love this, I make to do lists. If a task ever feels too big and overwhelming, I'll also break that down into smaller ones. Danielle // missdanielle.com

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  12. I laughed when you described how easily you get distracted because I'm the same way. I'm also very impressed that you used Lego correctly. I grew up adding an "s" on the end because I thought that was the plural for Lego and it's not. All of us around my neck of the woods have been saying it wrong all of our lives. Great post!

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  13. I'm definitely guilty of procrastinating. I always find that the more time I have the less I achieve. When I'm busy I always end up spending my time getting so much more done! It makes no sense but it seems to be the way I work �� Setting a proper to do list sounds like something that could make a huge difference to my motivation though x

    https://www.femaleoriginal.com

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    1. To do lists have certainly helped me procrastinate less! x

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  14. Your first bit about trees on This Morning made me laugh - I'm exactly the same and I've really been finding it lately! I totally agree that to-do lists are the way to go, there's something so satisfying about ticking jobs off as you complete them and it helps you stay more in control. Also I LOVE your diary, it's so pretty!

    Amy | sassycatlady.com

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  15. These are great tips. I try to write to do lists and work through them at my own pace. Sometimes I'll work quickly, but if I'm not feeling it, I'll just pick a couple of small things from the list to do. Something is better than nothing in my book.

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    1. To-do lists are very important in helping me get my daily tasks done!

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