7 Effective Ways to Avoid Working Overtime and be Productive

Once you get into the habit of work, you can be more productive in the things you want to do. ~Adrian Grenier

The purpose of avoiding working overtime is to regain your balance in life. Your career is important so is your personal life such as your family. You can be productive without working overtime. Here are the 7 productive working habits to develop:


1. Plan and organize in advance: A productive new day starts the night before. A great way to plan ahead is to do a short to-do list in the evening for the following day. It is a smart way to get things done productively and without being overwhelmed. Do what is important and create an impact on what you do.

2. Start a new day early: Starting work ahead of others is to work productively because when you do, you will avoid distractions, interruptions, and disturbances. When other staff members arrive, you have already done a major task. The other plus point is that when you go to work early you also avoid traffic jams and getting impatient and restless.

3. Do the most important thing first: Look at the first item on your list. It is your priority because it is an important job and also quite a difficult task. It is effective to do the most challenging and crucial job first thing in the morning because your mind is fresh and you are energetic and you are more likely to work with resolve.

4. Take a short break: Taking a break is an excellent way to reward yourself when an assignment is completed successfully. Having a short break like having a cup of coffee is a great way to release tension, clear your mind of clutter and restore your energy. Do remember that a short break from time to time is a productive working habit.

5. Don’t waste time: When you want to finish work on time, the sensible thing to do is to avoid chit-chatting with co-workers endlessly, logging into Facebook, making unnecessary phone calls, entertaining intruders, or doing any other unproductive things that waste your precious time.

6. Delegate: An effective way to groom and motivate your staff is to delegate with authority. Train your staff to work independently. You will get things to get done within a limited time frame without stress or pressure.

7. Work productively with a positive mental attitude: Take responsibility for what you do to gain the trust of others in you. Work with your heart and take pride in your work to build your reputation. Work diligently with attention. Develop an interest in what you do and enjoy the process of your work and get into the flow of it. These are the ways to work productively and get your satisfaction and feel good about yourself.

Do you have other productive working habits to avoid working overtime?