You don’t have to work 12 hour days to be extremely productive. In fact, employees who are the most productive often don’t, a new workplace survey shows.
A survey of 1,500 participating managers and employees by leadership training company VitalSmarts found that top performers don’t work longer hours than their peers, they work smarter. To work smarter, researchers suggest communicating more clearly and more often with your manager and colleagues.
Bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell, who has made a name for himself exploring common misconceptions, says there is no shortcut to success.
Habits like waking up late or not getting enough sleep will hold you back professionally, he says. Instead, invest in yourself so that you feel less stressed and overwhelmed.
For example, re-work your morning routine, your evening routine or prioritize exercise to clear your head.
If all you do is work, eat and sleep, you’re increasing your chances of burnout. Taking up a hobby can help break up your work routine, reduce stress and boost your work performance, career coaches and business leaders say.
In fact, Facebook CEO and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg says that having a hobby shows you have passion and drive — traits employers look for in candidates.
Always appearing rushed doesn’t make you look important. It makes you look frazzled, leadership development expert Jeff Black tells CNBC Make It.
Instead of running around when you’re stressed, use a calendar or notebook to clearly organize your priorities. And take time to listen and communicate directly with your colleagues, Black recommends. You’ll feel more in control of what has to get done.
To accomplish more of your goals, both personal and professional, you need to feel inspired and happy, according to Psychology Today.
But that’s certainly easier said than done. Waiting around to feel better won’t help you, Elle Kaplan, CEO of Lexion Capital Management, writes. Instead, try writing down your goals and visualizing what it feels like to have accomplished them. Internalizing that sense of success can push you to work harder.
Disclosure: CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to “Shark Tank.”
Like this story? Like CNBC Make It on Facebook.