Avoid Overspending Your Time

Are you spending too much time for too little results? Lifehack.org recently posted on the subject of "How Not to Overspend Your Time on a Task" and I thought that what they had to say might give us some food for thought.

1. Set a Clear Expected Output

The first suggestion made by Lifehack.org is to set yourself a clear expected output - what do you want to accomplish from doing this activity? If you are reading a book, what exactly do you want to learn from it or why are you reading it? If you are working on a project then what is the final specifications of the project you are working on? By having a clear expected output in mind you will know whether you are actually achieving what you hope to achieve by doing certain tasks.

2. Write down the Expected Output in a Prominent Place

Writing down the output you hope to achieve in a prominent place will help you to keep focused on what you are trying to achieve.

3. Realign Yourself with the Expected Output Every Now and Again

Before starting any new part of a task or at regular intervals, ask yourself whether what you are doing is really necessary for achieving the expected output or whether you can do it in a more efficient way. By keeping focused on your expected output and regularly realigning yourself with this you can ensure that you really do accomplish what you set out to accomplish.

4. Set a Deadline and Work with the Inverted Pyramid Structure

The fourth step according to Lifehack.org is to set a deadline and work with the inverted pyramid structure. Setting a deadline helps to keep you moving and ensures that you only do what is necessary. Working with an inverted pyramid structure helps you to get the important things done first, those that contribute the most to your expected output, so that if you do run out of time you can still deliver the best possible output.

5. When You Have Achieved the Expected Output, Stop.

Lastly, only do what is really necessary and stop when you achieve the expected output. Don't keep on trying to perfect an already finished project when you could be spending that time more productively somewhere else.

In order to avoid overspending your time on any particular task you should begin the task with a clear expected output in mind, focus on this and regularly realign yourself with it. Set yourself a deadline and then do the most important sub-tasks related to the task first and stop when you have achieved the expected output.