4 Strategies to Work Smarter - not harder
- Dilek Süzal
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 2
Why do some of us thrive in uncertainty while others feel stuck?
We call it ‘business’; but is it busyness or deep work?
The truth? High performance isn’t about working more. It’s about working better.
⏳ Problem: Distraction Overload
Every time we shift focus; our brain takes time to recalibrate. Over time, this leads to burnout, shallow thinking, and the constant feeling of being busy but not productive.
💡 Solution: Smart Focus Strategies
Instead of working harder, follow your attentional peaks with energy, task, time, and distraction management!
Dangers of Distraction Overload
Switching between tasks can reduce productivity by up to 40%
Research shows that interruptions can make us work faster, but at a cost of high stress and burn-out.
It was a true eye-opener, when I found out that according to the research by the American Psychological Association (APA), switching between tasks can reduce productivity by up to 40% (APA, 2001, “Multitasking: Switching costs.”).
In the research paper; ‘The Cost of Interrupted Work: More Speed and Stress’ by Gloria Mark from University of California and Daniela Gudith and Ulrich Klocke from Institute of Psychology Humboldt University Berlin, there is a stunning empirical study to investigate whether the context of interruptions makes a difference. (Mark, G. et al., 2005, “Interruption Recovery in the Workplace”)
Interestingly, research showed that interruptions can make us work faster, but at a cost!
To compensate for lost time, we develop a mode of working faster. However, this comes with higher stress, frustration, mental workload, and time pressure. In the end, we might get more done quickly, but we pay the price in burnout and reduced well-being.
Strategies to Design Deep Work
Here are four powerful strategies to reclaim focus and work smarter, not harder:
🔹 Create Energy-Based Productivity
Instead of forcing productivity into a 9-5, track your natural energy cycles. Identify when you’re most focused (morning, afternoon, evening) and schedule deep work accordingly.
If you are in a corporate setting, communicate your need to accomplish tasks at a specific time slot, being flexible when needed.
My most productive work-hours are from 09:00 to 11:30 and from 16:30 to 19:30.
🔹 Batch your Tasks
Group similar tasks together. If possible, dedicate certain days for ‘creative work’, ‘meetings’ or for ‘business development’. Note your daily repetitive tasks and organize the non-repetitive tasks around them with preparation and follow up times wisely.
Protect your attention like it’s your most valuable asset, because it is. 😊
🔹 Do Timeboxing Instead of To-Do Lists
Instead of making endless lists, schedule when you will do tasks in your calendar of choice.
My go to tool is my Google Calendar where I log in everything that needs to be taken care of.
🔹Manage the Distractions
Dr. Gloria Mark suggests: ‘First, when you feel the itch to change tasks, analyse why. If it's just boredom or procrastination, make a deal with yourself to work another 20 minutes, and then treat yourself to a reward’.
Time for Action!
Next week, try scheduling just one deep work session. Turn off notifications. Set a timer for 20 minutes. Let your colleagues know. See what happens. You might be surprised at how much you can accomplish without working more!
Which strategy will help you practice deep work?
Warmly,
Dilek
Official Collaboration Partners:
★ Lead Coach at the global coaching platform BetterUp based in USA.
★ Executive Coach and Trainer at SparkUs based in Turkey and Netherlands.
★ Impact Partner for coaching, training & facilitation projects at leadership experts Think Beyond Group based in Austria.
★ Leadership Coach at Percoms AG, based in Switzerland.
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