3 ways to be more efficient at work

When we have too much work on our hands, we tend to rush into it without planning our day beforehand. This can increase stress, and doesn't necessarily make us more efficient. Here are some strategies to cope with a heavy workload.

• Today's office worker changes tasks an average of every three minutes.
• Such a lightning-speed day of interruptions is helped along by the multi-tasking made possible by computers.
• Working on eight things at once might seem impressive, but it isn't. Rather, it is exhausting, inefficient and highly stressful.
• So, instead of constantly checking e-mails, having two or three documents open on your screen, or returning e-mails as they come in, structure your day to focus on one thing at a time.
• In particular, start your day by blocking out two hours for uninterrupted hands-on work.
• During this time, do not answer your phone or check e-mails.
• Then check e-mails and respond all at once. Go to lunch.
• Structure your afternoon in the same way.
• Designate a time immediately after lunch and an hour before you leave for returning calls.

• It is hard to sustain creativity or intensity on one task for long stretches.
• Rather, our brains work in cycles of creativity, then take a rest. So try this: after an hour or so of concentrated work, get up for five minutes, walk around, do some stretches.
• Not only will this help the quality of your work – by the time you finish your day, you'll have managed to fit in 30 minutes of stress-reducing exercise.

• When work is challenging, devote some of your down time – weekends and evenings – to delineating a sequence of tasks.
• Make a list, place boxes next to each item and tick off the boxes as you move through the list (which is in itself very satisfying).
• You'll avoid forgetting anything, you'll stay focused on the job, and you'll be more efficient.