How to Balance and Stop Wasting Your Time!

1. Stop multitasking. You might think you’re multitasking, but you’re actually rapidly shifting your focus from one item to another, which just consumes valuable energy. It can take up to 15 minutes for your brain to reorient after switching, so you’re better off focusing on one.
2. Take breaks. When you have too much on your plate, you’re tempted to plow through the day without eating lunch, impacting your health in the long run. You risk wearing yourself out, which can lead to mistakes in your work.

3. If you never get sufficient rest, you risk burning out . Try using the Pomodoro technique to block your time and schedule regular breaks. You won’t do your best work at the end of a really long day, so save it for tomorrow when you’re fresh. It’ll probably take less time and be better quality with a fresh slate.

4. Do the hardest (and most pressing) tasks first. As you plan your week, ensure all time-sensitive tasks are at the top of your to-do list, enabling you to complete all your tasks within deadlines. For bigger projects, it’ll provide a buffer when something inevitably gets delayed

5. Follow your energy levels. Organizing your day around your energy levels will increase efficiency. If you’re most productive in the morning, schedule your most difficult tasks at that time. But if you still need a dose of caffeine at noon to reach your peak, use your morning to tackle less demanding work.

6. Automate what you can. Keyboard shortcuts and email filters are efficient ways to automate everyday tasks.

7. Put yourself first. You’re unlikely to help anyone if you burn yourself out.

8. Adopt a growth mindset. Every project is an opportunity to grow, and hone your skills.

• Specific: What exactly are you trying to accomplish? State your vision clearly. 
• Measurable: How will you know you've finished? You should have a clear way of measuring success.
• Achievable: Is this goal realistic with your current available time and resources? If not, you may need to plan extra steps to achieve your goal.
• Relevant: Does the goal correspond to your organization’s mission? Only work on long, arduous, expensive projects if they add value. 
• Time-bound: Do you have a clear deadline in mind? Setting an end date is vital to avoid meandering aimlessly for an indefinite time.

Being efficient doesn’t mean being lazy. As a hard worker, you must ensure your input produces the maximum output. If you can master the art of efficiency, you’ll be ready to thrive in today’s fast-paced work environments.

With the above tips, you’re well on your way to balancing hard work vs. smart work. It’s all about time management skills, efficacy, and efficiency, keeping your mental and physical health in mind.