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5 Tips to Get More Meaningful Work Done With Less Effort

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Midjourney

I take time management seriously, but I didn’t use to. I used to spend hours procrastinating and putting off work, only to have to rush to complete tasks in the last minute just to keep my teachers and my bosses happy. My attention to detail suffered, as did my mental state as I struggled to fight off the anxiety that would creep up every time I was up against a deadline.

Somehow I managed not to fail out of school or get fired for negligence, but I knew that there had to be a better way to get by. Studies have found that people at work are typically only about 30% efficient in their daily activities.

This means, 70% of the time employees aren’t focused 100% on the work they’re supposed to be doing, likely distracted by those around them or other work-related events (i.e. emails, telephone calls, etc.) that are constantly popping up to get their attention. In the time since my “procrastination phase”, I have spent hundreds of hours interviewing people all around the world about their productivity and goal setting habits.

The following are five tips that will help you get more work done with less effort, if you’re willing to put in the time up front:

1. Define what success looks like

The key to getting more done with less effort (and in less time – in many cases) is to start a task with a defined end goal in mind. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What does success look like?
  • What is my vision for how it will turn out?
  • What purpose will it serve?

Define the parameters of your success for each major task you are working towards. Set time deadlines and delivery deadlines. The more precise you can be, the easier it will be to stay motivated to move forward and remain accountable to yourself and others.

“If you can dream it, you can achieve it.” – Zig Ziglar

2. Identify your most important actions

Think about what actions you must take at each stage to ensure that you reach your definition of success. Having the best strategy in the world to reach a goal will get you nowhere without clearly defined tactics.

If you have multiple tasks to complete within a set period of time, write each tactic down underneath the specified task. Alongside each tactic, write out what measurable outcome will define completion of the tactic along with a deadline for completing it.

An example might look something like this:

Goal – Lose 10 pounds by March

  • Exercise (Run for 30 minutes 3 times a week)
  • Eat healthy food (Eat 5 vegetables daily. Cut out unhealthy carbohydrates)
  • Reduce Calories (Reduce diet to 1500 calories per day)

3. Focus on the hardest part first

We are constantly given reasons to avoid doing work we know that we should be doing. We live in a world full of distractions, and it is easy to get sidetracked by outside projects and commitments that pop up at the last minute.

One way to avoid procrastination and supercharge your productivity, is to commit to doing the most uncomfortable activity you have on your to-do list first thing in the morning, right as you start your day. By doing this, you ensure that you do your hardest activity when you are at your freshest and most focused, and you will do it with more energy and enthusiasm than you would later on.

4. Take action daily

Habits take between 30 and 90 days of repetition to form. Taking action on a daily basis not only allows you to make continual progress towards your goals, it helps form the action-taking muscle that will allow you to regularly take action on new activities and tasks as they arise.

No matter what task you are trying to complete, make sure you identify at least one tactic that you can complete on a daily basis that will contribute to the success of your larger goal.

“A good plan, executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.” – General George Patton

5. Measure your progress

Finally, don’t forget to measure your progress. This means not only measuring progress towards the completion of the task at hand, but also measuring your capacity to complete each task efficiently and effectively.

For each task, goal or objective you set out to accomplish, keep a careful record of the tactics that make up each. Upon completing (or failing to complete) a defined task, review what happened so that you can learn for next time. Did you complete each tactic outlined under the stated goal?

If you didn’t then you should work to improve your ability to take action on specific tactics. If you’ve completed all of the tactics outlined and still did not manage to complete your task, you should assess the tactics themselves and work to create new tactics to meet your objectives.

What tips would you give to get more done with less effort? Leave your thoughts below!

McVal is the founder of We Write For Growth, a platform for businesses to connect with talented writers and researchers and growth hackers. He is also the author of How to Make $2,000 a Month Online and Start Up your Life: Why we don’t know what we want, and how to set goals that really matter. McVal writes about motivation, decision making, and strategic thinking. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2011 with a degree in Spanish, and has since worked as a market researcher and business consultant in Washington D.C., New York City and London. You can reach him on Twitter @mcval or on IG @mcvaliant. 

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Change Your Mindset

The One Leadership Habit That Separates the Great From the Forgettable

True leaders don’t just speak their values, they live them, proving that integrity is the foundation of lasting influence.

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Leadership isn’t defined by titles, speeches, or charisma; it’s defined by action. The most respected leaders in history didn’t just preach their values; they lived them. (more…)

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Success Advice

Inside the TikTok Resume Hack That’s Fooling Recruiters (For Now)

A viral TikTok resume trick promises interviews overnight, yet one wrong move could blacklist you from future jobs.

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Life

9 Harsh Truths Every Young Man Must Face to Succeed in the Modern World

Before chasing success, every young man needs to face these 9 brutal realities shaping masculinity in the modern world.

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Image Credit: Midjourney

Many young men today quietly battle depression, loneliness, and a sense of confusion about who they’re meant to be.

Some blame the lack of deep friendships or romantic relationships. Others feel lost in a digital world that often labels traditional masculinity as “toxic.”

But the truth is this: becoming a man in the modern age takes more than just surviving. It takes resilience, direction, and a willingness to grow even when no one’s watching.

Success doesn’t arrive by accident or luck. It’s built on discipline, sacrifice, and consistency.

Here are 9 harsh truths every young man should know if he wants to thrive, not just survive, in the digital age.

1. Never Use Your Illness as an Excuse

As Dr. Jordan B. Peterson often says, successful people don’t complain; they act.

Your illness, hardship, or struggle shouldn’t define your limits; it should define your motivation. Rest when you must, but always get back up and keep building your dreams. Motivation doesn’t appear magically. It comes after you take action.

Here are five key lessons I’ve learned from Dr. Peterson:

  • Learn to write clearly; clarity of thought makes you dangerous.

  • Read quality literature in your free time.

  • Nurture a strong relationship with your family.

  • Share your ideas publicly; your voice matters.

  • Become a “monster”, powerful, but disciplined enough to control it.

The best leaders and thinkers are grounded. They welcome criticism, adapt quickly, and keep moving forward no matter what.

2. You Can’t Please Everyone And That’s Okay

You don’t need a crowd of people to feel fulfilled. You need a few friends who genuinely accept you for who you are.

If your circle doesn’t bring out your best, it’s okay to walk away. Solitude can be a powerful teacher. It gives you space to understand what you truly want from life. Remember, successful men aren’t people-pleasers; they’re purpose-driven.

3. You Can Control the Process, Not the Outcome

Especially in creative work, writing, business, or content creation, you control effort, not results.

You might publish two articles a day, but you can’t dictate which one will go viral. Focus on mastery, not metrics. Many great writers toiled for years in obscurity before anyone noticed them. Rejection, criticism, and indifference are all part of the path.

The best creators focus on storytelling, not applause.

4. Rejection Is Never Personal

Rejection doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It simply means your offer, idea, or timing didn’t align.

Every successful person has faced rejection repeatedly. What separates them is persistence and perspective. They see rejection as feedback, not failure. The faster you learn that truth, the faster you’ll grow.

5. Women Value Comfort and Security

Understanding women requires maturity and empathy.

Through books, lectures, and personal growth, I’ve learned that most women desire a man who is grounded, intelligent, confident, emotionally stable, and consistent. Some want humor, others intellect, but nearly all want to feel safe and supported.

Instead of chasing attention, work on self-improvement. Build competence and confidence, and the rest will follow naturally.

6. There’s No Such Thing as Failure, Only Lessons

A powerful lesson from Neuro-Linguistic Programming: failure only exists when you stop trying.

Every mistake brings data. Every setback builds wisdom. The most successful men aren’t fearless. They’ve simply learned to act despite fear.

Be proud of your scars. They’re proof you were brave enough to try.

7. Public Speaking Is an Art Form

Public speaking is one of the most valuable and underrated skills a man can master.

It’s not about perfection; it’s about connection. The best speakers tell stories, inspire confidence, and make people feel seen. They research deeply, speak honestly, and practice relentlessly.

If you can speak well, you can lead, sell, teach, and inspire. Start small, practice at work, in class, or even in front of a mirror, and watch your confidence skyrocket.

8. Teaching Is Leadership in Disguise

Great teachers are not just knowledgeable. They’re brave, compassionate, and disciplined.

Teaching forces you to articulate what you know, and in doing so, you master it at a deeper level. Whether you’re mentoring a peer, leading a team, or sharing insights online, teaching refines your purpose.

Lifelong learners become lifelong leaders.

9. Study Human Nature to Achieve Your Dreams

One of the toughest lessons to accept: most people are self-interested.

That’s not cynicism, it’s human nature. Understanding this helps you navigate relationships, business, and communication more effectively.

Everyone has a darker side, but successful people learn to channel theirs productively into discipline, creativity, and drive.

Psychology isn’t just theory; it’s a toolkit. Learn how people think, act, and decide, and you’ll know how to lead them, influence them, and even understand yourself better.

Final Thoughts

The digital age offers endless opportunities, but only to those who are willing to take responsibility, confront discomfort, and keep improving.

Becoming a man today means embracing the hard truths most avoid.

Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about luck. It’s about who you become when life tests you the most.

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Change Your Mindset

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