18 Habits of Highly Effective Kowledge Workers

Spend 80% of your time doing 20% of the work that produces 80% of the results

Chances are that most (if not all) our favorite distractions are right at our fingertip these days. Another good work habit to have is to set up your phone to work for you, instead of against you.

You need to build your focus muscle by making it a habit to turn off notifications during most of your workday. Just like you should schedule email time, consider checking your communication apps only twice a day: once at 11:30 a.m. and another one at 5:00 p.m.

Research found that almost half of our interruptions are self-initiated, so it's important to note it, name it, and nail it.

Dealing with distraction is only part of the equation. The ability to focus is a must-have work habit for elite performers. 

Most people prioritize tasks on their schedule when in fact, a better way is to schedule your priority. The things on your schedules are usually someone else’s priority, not yours.

Effective time management is a crucial work habit to have for elite performers. Their working hours are usually planned.

If you are not well organized, it makes it difficult to find the focus necessary to produce the quality outcome you desire.

All of us plan and prioritize all the time, but it is better to get our tasks off our head.

Ask yourself this questions: What usually distracts you from doing your important tasks? Mindless snacking? Social media? Web browsing? News reading? A chat with your colleagues? Add them to your not to do list. 

Daily and weekly reviews are necessary for continuous improvement and expert performance.

Without proper rest and recovery, you can’t perform at your best. Meditation relaxes your mind and body. Research shows that when our brain is resting, it engages its “default network” to continue problem-solving, examine possibilities, and look for relevant information.

There are many ways we can embrace personal and professional development at work. Reading books, peer learning/sharing, personal reflection, asking questions when in doubt… These are just a few examples. 

Different careers need different tools so master the tools you need for your work. Knowing how to use them can get you by, but mastering those tools will let you optimize your performance.