The Open Forum’s website has these tips for you.
Reward results
If you are a manager, avoid a common bias. Most bosses think that those who spend long hours at work are more responsible and committed. Such a mindset is dangerous. It pushes workers to sacrifice their personal life and, what is equally negative, it doesn‘t encourage them to be more efficient. Measure results do not count hours.
Reconsider your schedule
Change the way you operate. What can you improve? Are some meetings just a waste of your time? Do you really need to read all the mail as you currently do? Can you replace more travel by teleconference sessions? Perhaps you can find a way to shave some hours from your busy schedule.
Stop talking about how busy you are
At least some of busyness experienced is self-imposed. People are frightened of what they may face if they weren’t so busy. Their ambition and anxiety force them to voluntarily take on more work. However, it doesn’t really matter why we work too much whether because of actual demands or because of our fears and ambitions.
The detrimental effects of being too busy are real. Bragging about how busy you are is today kind of a new status symbol. It is not a good habit to have. It is rewarding, because we feel the same pleasurable sensation that we experience to food and money, but try to stop talking about it.
Rest periods
Plan some rest periods between your work tasks and activities. Decide in advance whether you will read for 10 minutes, watch a TED video, or listen to a music.
-jk-