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While it may seem counterproductive, it really is true that working fewer hours can help to increase your efficiency. There are a lot of reasons for this, some of which we touched upon in yesterday’s post. It’s important to understand that overworking and stressing yourself out usually doesn’t lead to better results. It can even have really damaging effects on your health and wellbeing. Take a look at how working less can help you boost your productivity.

Better Health

Working excessive hours has shown to add to the risk of several physical and mental health issues. These include poor sleep, along with depression and anxiety. Overworking has also been linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Poor health eventually leads to you needing to take more sick days, which ultimately reduces your productivity as a worker. It also effects your day to day performance. How can you be expected to do your best work when you don’t feel well? Compromised health leads to decreased productivity.

Improved Mood and Morale

When employees are overworked, their mood tends to suffer. They become irritable and resentful. Morale suffers. Satisfied and valued workers will work harder for a company. This is true even if you’re self-employed. You simply can’t sustain excessive work on a regular basis without expecting your mood to take a hit, even if you’re working for yourself. You’ll likely begin to wonder if building your own business is worth the toll it takes.

Increased Efficiency

There’s a concept known as “Parkinson’s Law” whose premise lies in the fact that you will take as much time to complete a task as you are given. In other words, you’d likely accomplish as much in less time if that’s all you were given. Test the theory out for yourself. See what you can accomplish in a regular work week without staying extra or taking work home. Remind yourself that you need to complete your priority tasks within the allotted period. Chances are, you’ll get the job done. You can actually work more efficiently when given less time.

Fewer Mistakes

You’ll be more productive when you work a reasonable number of hours because you’ll feel better, both physically and mentally. You’ll be more alert when you’re sleeping better, so you’ll make fewer errors. In addition, you’ll simply be more rejuvenated and pleased to be on the job after you’ve had adequate time away to focus on your personal interests.

Keep these things in mind when deciding how many hours you want to spend on work, family, or household duties each week. A balance truly can make a positive difference in your productivity and happiness.