Tweet

The Difference Between Working Hard and Working Smart

Guest post by: Andrew Rondeau

Article Overview: Many people think that because they work large numbers of hours they can claim to be the best workers in their industry. I disagree somewhat with this statement. Of course you do need to dedicate time to work. But at the end of the day it is the quality of work that people look at rather than the hours you have spent at it.

The Difference Between Working Hard and Working Smart

Many people think that because they work large numbers of hours they can claim to be the best workers in their industry. I disagree somewhat with this statement. Of course you do need to dedicate time to work. But at the end of the day it is the quality of work that people look at rather than the hours you have spent at it. Being able to accomplish more with less time is an art. It requires much heart. But one must bear in mind that working smart should be the number one concern. It can be bad for your health to burn the midnight oil. If you do not get sufficient sleep and are tired by all the demands placed on you, your work will suffer. You will find it difficult to focus if you are too tired.

Working hard offers many rewards, but experience tells me that the best way to achieve success is to work hard at working smart.

But how does one do this?

The first point is that you have to be more flexible. We face changes every day and sometimes even in the middle of a project you might need to change quite a few things. It's best not to complain about this. Change comes with the territory. Adults deal with change every day and being an adult yourself requires you to be gracious when accepting change.

A further problem that stops people from working smart is that they procrastinate. I am guilty of this myself but as with everybody else I have had to learn my lessons the hard way. The more I put off, the larger the pile of responsibilities became. If you do this as well, you will most probably end up disappointing more people than pleasing them.

It's important to plan ahead.

Determine the steps you need to take to complete the task. Take your time doing this as haste makes waste. Be calm too because if you panic your output will become messier.

Observe your colleagues and you will notice that those who are most successful are those who are able to multi-task and balance their responsibilities. Completing more than one task at the same time does not have to be confusing. You just need to work out which tasks can be grouped so that you are not left bewildered.

The one point to remember is that putting double the time to a task does not necessarily mean double the results. It will help your productivity if you update yourself on the latest technological advances. These machines were invented to make work easier for mankind. Find out which programs work the best for you and reduce stress by avoiding things that could be too confusing.

One positive about modern technology is that designers have made software simpler and easier to use. These developers know that this is what everybody needs and have therefore designed programs that are easier to understand and use.

To succeed and achieve higher goals requires that we constantly have to strategise. Easy access to information will help you achieve your goals. Read up relevant info and learn. In the end you will realise just how much you've learned and how it is quite simple to put the theories into good practise.

Related Articles
  Stop Saying “Work Smarter, Not Harder” and Great Things Shall Happen!
  What’s The Only Thing Worse Than an Incompetent Subordinate?
  "Lazy Sales Professional" - An Oxymoron
  Lesson #3: Know the Difference between Working Hard and Working Smart
  What Happens When You Try to Hard To Sell?

Article Tags: develop management skills, management skill set, manager competencies, manager skill



Related Forum Posts
Re: What is Your Favorite Thing About Owning A Business? - [quote="freddyb45":1t3lpfi8]For me it's the fact that all the time and effort you put in is worth a lot more, due to it making you "business" more profitable. Working for yourself is also a positive, although employing people you can trust is quite different.[/quote:1t3lpfi8] I like this idea. Working for yourself means you are investing in your own future, not someone else's, although there is value in working for someone else first to gain experience and confidence. Working for yourself does not automatically mean success, fame and fortune. For most entrepreneurs, it takes much work and dedication to get to the point of financial success and comfort - sometimes years. But the benefit is, again, you know you are investing in yourself and building equity for your own future. GT :-]
Re: help wanted in u.k. - Working on it all, a new world to me cheers brendan
Re: What is Your Favorite Thing About Owning A Business? - For me it's the fact that all the time and effort you put in is worth a lot more, due to it making you "business" more profitable. Working for yourself is also a positive, although employing people you can trust is quite different.
Re: When do entrepreneurs retire, if ever? - Entrepreneur don't retire, they die on the job. It is his passion and what he enjoys doing. Rubert Murdock is 77 years old and he is still working. He said he would die fast if he stop working. Working had become his life,joy and passion
business plans & raising capital - In the US, providing projections of returns for an equity investor can be very problematic. I would also mention that unless you are dealing directly with the venture capital firms – a business plan (while necessary) is not the best tool for dealing with private investors. Working with a professional is a definite help – but be sure to check them out and be very clear about what you will be getting. Be very careful with those who say they can raise capital for you.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

The Neglected Art of Receiving

Looking for an Easy Online Business Opportunity?

Five Ways to Show Honest Appreciation

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.