How To Make Time Go Faster At Work – 18 Quick Ways

We have all been there, wondering how to make time go faster at work. Time at work seems to have stopped almost every day, right?

Here is a wise lesson. Time is like a thief in the night. It seems to pass by quicker when we are not paying attention.

How To Make Time Go Faster At Work

Have you ever tried to find out how to make time go faster at work? Maybe you were stuck in a project that was taking forever.

Or you had a long day ahead of you, and you just wanted it to be over already.

There are 18 things that you can do to make time go by quicker.

1. Find A Way To Stay Busy:

One of the best ways to make time go faster is to find ways to stay busy.

The more you can keep your mind occupied, the less time you will have to focus on how slowly time is moving.

So, if you find yourself with some downtime at work, try to find something productive to do.

You can catch up on some paperwork, start working on a project that you have been putting off or even organize your desk.

The key is to keep your mind busy so that time will fly by.

2. Take A Break:

Although it may seem counter-intuitive, taking a break can help you get more done and make time go by faster.

When you are feeling overwhelmed or bogged down by work, take a few minutes to yourself to clear your head.

Go for a walk, step outside for some fresh air, or take a few deep breaths.

Taking a break will help you relax and rejuvenate to get back to work with a clear head and be more productive.

However, taking a break doesn’t mean doing something that stresses you, like scrolling on social media.

3. Set A Timer:

Setting a timer can help you stay on track and make time go by faster if you have a lot of work to do.

Set a timer for an hour or however long you want to work. Then focus on getting as much done as possible during that time.

Once the timer goes off, you can take a break.

This will help you stay focused and motivated, and it will also help the time fly by.

Let me give you my example. When I work, I set the timer for two hours. Once they are over, I take a short break and come back.

4. Listen To Music:

Listening to music can help make time go by faster.

It will help you stay focused and motivated, but it will also help you relax and de-stress.

So, next time you are feeling bogged down by work, put on your headphones and let the music take you away.

Would you believe me if I said I wrote this post with soulful music running in the background?

5. Find A Work Friend:

One of the best ways to make time go faster at work is to find a work friend.

The day will fly by when you have someone to talk to and connect with.

So, take some time to get to know your coworkers and see if you can find a friend in the office.

Your office friend can help you stay motivated and focused, and they can also help you make it through the day.

6. Get A Good Night’s Sleep:

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to make time go by faster.

When you are well-rested, you will be able to focus and be more productive.

So, make sure to get plenty of rest before a big day at work.

You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel and how faster time will fly.

Usually, an adult needs around eight hours of sleep, so make sure to get your eight hours in.

7. Get Moving:

It can be easy to fall into a slump when you are stuck at a desk all day.

But, if you take some time to move around, you will find that time will go by much faster.

So, take a few laps around the office, do some stretches, or walk outside.

You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel and how faster time will go by.

Another quick tip here is: Do not ask your staff guy to bring you coffee or water. Get up, go to the kitchen, and bring it yourself.

It’s a great way to keep moving without feeling you are wasting time.

8. Take Your Time:

Although it may seem the opposite of what you should do, taking your time can help you make time go by faster.

When you rush through your work, you are more likely to make mistakes and have to redo things.

So, take your time and focus on quality over quantity.

You’ll be surprised at how much faster time will go when you are not rushing through your work.

9. Find A Hobby:

Finding a hobby is a great way to make time go by faster.

When you have something to focus on outside of work, you will find that the day will fly by.

You will want to go back home for the hobby. Thus, you will complete all your tasks fast and with focus.

So, take some time to find a hobby that you enjoy.

It can be anything from hiking to playing an instrument.

Find something that you are passionate about and make time for it.

10. Try Techniques:

Here are some techniques that can help you make time go faster:

1. The Pomodoro Technique:

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management technique that can help you make time go by faster.

You work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break in this technique.

After 4 Pomodoros, you take a more extended break of 20-30 minutes.

This technique can help you stay focused and motivated. You can easily find yourself working fast and with total concentration.

2. The Eisenhower Matrix:

The Eisenhower Matrix is a time management technique. It can help you spend your time on the right tasks.

In this technique, you categorize your tasks into four quadrants:

– Urgent and Important

– Not Urgent and Important

– Urgent and Not Important, and

– Not Urgent and Not Important.

This technique can help you focus on the most critical tasks. Moreover, it can help you make time go by faster.

3. The 80/20 Rule:

The 80/20 Rule is a productivity technique that can help you in time management.

In this technique, you focus on 20% of the most critical tasks.

Then once you complete those 20% tasks, you move on to the next 20% important ones.

Your time gets divided efficiently, and you can focus on the most critical tasks.

4. The Zeigarnik Effect:

The Zeigarnik Effect is a psychological phenomenon.

In this effect, you are more likely to remember unfinished tasks than finished tasks.

So, if you have a lot of unfinished tasks, you are more likely to focus on those tasks and make time go by faster.

This effect is helpful when you want to ensure you complete all assignments before you leave.

5. The Parkinson’s Law:

Parkinson’s Law is a productivity technique. It states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion.

So, if you have a lot of time, you are more likely to take your time and not focus.

But if you have less time, you are more likely to focus and complete the task quickly.

Thus, make the environment around you as if you have much less time. For instance, set timers or work in short bursts of 25 minutes.

6. The Rule of Three:

The Rule of Three is a productivity technique that can help the time go by fast than other times.

In this technique, you focus on three tasks at a time.

Then once you complete those three tasks, you move on to the next task.

This technique can help you focus on a few tasks and increase productivity.

7. The 5 Minute Rule:

The 5 Minute Rule is a productivity technique that can help you make time go by faster.

In this technique, you start working on a task for 5 minutes.

If you find that the task is not worth your time, you stop working on it.

But if you find that the task is worth your time, you continue working on it.

This technique can help you fulfil your obligations and don’t have to wait for time to pass.

11. Have Some Snacks:

If you have some snacks with you, you won’t feel the time is dragging on.

Keep your drawer full of snacks to have something to munch on when you feel the urge.

I usually put some snacks on my desk to have something to eat when I need a break. My snacks include:

– A bowl of fruit

– A jar of nuts

– A bag of pretzels

– A container of yogurt, etc.

You have to eat healthy snacks because they give you energy and help you stay focused.

12. Get More Responsibilities:

This is a spin-off of keeping yourself busy to make time go faster.

If you have more work, you will have to focus more and work harder. You won’t have time to look at the clock.

So, if you feel like time is dragging on, ask your boss for more responsibilities. You can take up tasks like:

– Training new employees

– Giving presentations

– Writing reports, etc.

I usually ask my boss to give me research work so that I can focus more and don’t have to wait for time to pass.

Another way to get more work is by helping your coworker out with theirs. You can offer to help them with tasks like:

– Answering phone calls

– Filing papers

– Making copies, etc.

13. Make A Game Out Of It:

This is a fun technique to make time go by faster.

You can make a game out of almost anything. For instance, if you are filing papers, you can try to beat your previous record.

Or, if you are making sales calls, you can try to make the most calls in an hour.

Or, if you are making a presentation, you can try to make it the best display ever.

You can also try to beat your previous best time in completing a task.

This technique will help you focus more and also have some fun.

14. Set A Goal:

Setting a goal can help you make time go faster because it will give you something to focus on.

When you have a goal, you won’t have to waste time figuring out what to do next.

You can work on achieving your goal.

Goals also help you track your progress and stay motivated.

15. Create a To-Do List:

Creating a to-do list can help you make time go faster because it will help you focus on your tasks.

When you have a to-do list, you won’t have to waste time trying to remember what you have to do.

You can look at your to-do list and start working on the tasks.

To-do lists are also helpful in keeping track of your progress. For instance:

– You can tick off the tasks that you have completed.

– See how much work you have to do.

– Estimate the time you will need to complete all the tasks.

16. Join An Online Employees Community:

You can join an online employee community if you are working from home.

In these communities, you can interact with other employees and discuss work-related issues.

You can also get tips on how to be more productive.

Joining these communities can help you focus more on your work and make time go by faster.

17. Find A Job You Enjoy:

Time doesn’t go by in a job you don’t like.

You get bored and feel like time is dragging on. You watch the clock all the time to know when will this miserable shift end.

So, if you want to make time go faster, find a job you enjoy.

When you enjoy your job, you will be more focused and motivated.

You won’t have to wait for time to pass because you will be busy enjoying your work.

18. Do Something Different:

Doing something different can help you make time go faster.

For instance, if you are working on the same task every day, try doing something different.

You can:

– Take on a new project

– Learn a new skill

– Do a different task

Doing something different will make you feel you have a lot to do at work. Thus, you won’t worry about time not passing by.

Conclusion:

Making time go faster is every employee’s dream. No one wants to feel like time is dragging on at work.

There are many ways to make time go faster. You can:

– Keep yourself busy

– Set goals

– Join an online employees community

– Do something different, etc.

These techniques will help you enjoy your work and complete the day on a good note.