A high level of efficiency is not just about getting a lot of things done in a short amount of time; it is also about getting the right things done at the right time.  For those recruiters who want to maximize their time and run their business like an efficient machine, below are three steps to doing just that:

Step 1 – Get rid of the clutter.  Nothing kills efficiency faster than the ill side effects of clutter slowing you down and getting in your way.  The inability to find what you need when you need it will create an environment where you “try” to get things done more than you actually do them.

Step 2 – Get your goals and priorities straight. Are you doing the things that really make a difference in your business first?  So many recruiters waste time doing “busy work” when they could be spending their time on the essential elements of their business.  Make sure that you identify what your business’ essential elements are and work on those things first, leaving the least important items for last.

Step 3 – Refuse to be interrupted by petty “urgent” issues.  Many recruiters can find themselves fielding a barrage of petty interruptions that seem to be urgent on the surface but aren’t.  How do you know if an interruption is urgent or not?  Ask yourself, will ignoring this call/email/knock at the door impact the bottom line of my business?  If the answer is no, then it can wait.