Here’s a question I’ve asked countless leaders: “At school or uni, were you ever taught how to work effectively?”
The answer is almost always a resounding no.
Then I follow it up with: “What about during your career? Have you been taught how to manage your workload, priorities, or time effectively?”
Around 80-90% of people say no again.
In this video, I want to suggest three simple things that can boost your productivity and your performance.
Right now, I’m in Doha, Qatar, where I was invited to run a workshop for 50 government leaders. It’s been such an incredible experience, and I’m so grateful to have a job I love that takes me to amazing places.
But even here, when I asked those leaders the same question, most of them said no — they’d never been taught how to work effectively.
This isn’t unique to Qatar. I’ve travelled to nearly 20 countries and worked with leaders from countless large companies. Most of them are highly motivated, passionate, and committed to doing their best work. But they’re also overwhelmed. Their workload is crushing, their calendars are packed back-to-back with meetings, and they’re constantly struggling to stay on top of things.
And when I ask them why they work the way they do — checking emails all day, going from one meeting to the next, and constantly feeling “on” — the answer is usually: “I don’t know. It’s just how I’ve always done it.”
Think about it. Most of us go to school or uni to learn a skill or earn a qualification. Once we land our first job, we’re given a desk, a computer, and some responsibilities, and then… we’re left to figure it out. No one teaches us how to manage the sheer volume of tasks, meetings, emails, and priorities that come with the job.
Here’s what I see time and time again:
- Calendars jam-packed with back-to-back meetings, leaving no time to actually do the work.
- People drowning in emails and messages, constantly checking them out of habit without questioning if there’s a better way.
- Tasks and priorities piling up, with no clear system to manage them effectively.
And the result? Exhaustion, frustration, and a sense of never really being on top of things.
Here are three simple suggestions that can make a huge difference:
1. Learn from someone who’s nailed it. Look for someone who seems to have it all together — someone who performs well, looks in control, and has a good work-life balance. Success leaves clues. Reach out to them, ask questions, and find out what they’re doing differently.
2. Learn from books. There are some fantastic books out there that can help you work smarter. Here are a few recommendations:
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
- The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker
- Getting Things Done by David Allen
- Deep Work by Cal Newport
- Measure What Matters by John Doerr
- And yes, even my book Work Smarter: Live Better.
These books are full of proven strategies to help you take control of your work and life.
3. Take a course. Years ago, I attended an effectiveness training course, and it completely changed my life. It didn’t just improve my performance — it gave me a sense of balance and control that I’d never experienced before. It also sparked my passion for helping others work smarter, which has taken me around the world to work with incredible people, like the leaders here in Qatar.
This isn’t just about getting more done at work. It’s about improving your life. When you learn how to manage your workload effectively, everything changes. You feel more in control, less stressed, and better equipped to focus on what really matters — whether that’s your family, health, or passions outside of work.
As Peter Drucker, one of the greatest minds in leadership, once said:
“In 45 years as a consultant, I have never seen a naturally born effective executive. All the effective ones had to learn it and practice it until it became a habit.”
So, my question to you is: Have you ever taken the time to learn how to work effectively? If not, what’s one small step you can take this week to start?
Whether it’s reading a book, talking to a mentor, or taking a course, even the smallest change can have a massive impact on your productivity, performance, and overall wellbeing.
You’ve got this.
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip.
Wishing you a lovely day!
A bientôt,
Cyril
