We’ve all heard the mantra about “working smarter, not harder,” but what does it really mean and how are we supposed to apply that to our daily lives? We all have established routines. We get up, do what we have to do to get ready for the day and then start working at whatever it is that we do. But what parts of the routine are necessary and what parts actually contribute to more work productivity and, ultimately, a better work-life balance?

Everyone’s situation is different, but sometimes the best thing to do is to shake things up drastically in order to gain a fresh perspective and see what’s best for you. If you’re used to drinking a cup of coffee to get started every morning, maybe you could try getting up 30 minutes earlier and running for 20 minutes. The pick-me-up effect would be similar and you might have a clearer head during the morning hours of your day.

Maybe public transportation is a better option than driving to work. You could save money on gas while using the daily commute time to catch up on current events, learn a second language, or research your ideas for your new business. This would free up the same amount of time that you spent sneaking these chores in on the job. And maybe you could get out of work a little sooner everyday.

Perhaps you’re one of the lucky few who have already identified and implemented a highly efficient and enjoyable daily routine. If so, I envy you. I’m working on mine right now and I’ll let you know how it goes.

Tags: daily work routines, increasing work efficiency, time management

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