Work smart, not hard! I come across this advice every once in a while, and I find it quite misguided.
Think of the smartest organisations with some of the world’s smartest folks in them — rocket science, AI companies and so so many more. They may be using the smartest methods of working — mechanising, automating and “AI-fying” everything possible. But, can we say that ”Oh, these folks don’t need to work hard, because they work smart”?
Nothing could be farther from the truth. They have to work hard!
From the leaders at the top to the people at the junior rungs — they put in hours and hours of hard work, and show up day after day after day. Exactly like others in any other profession or organization.
Working smart is excellent. Work methods that save time, effort, improve efficiency and quality must be used. However, the mindset of “By working smart, I can escape hard work” is fatal. If you are seeking to shirk hard work, then you will stumble sooner or later.
Hard work merely changes form. The world has moved from a lot of hard, physical labour to knowledge work. So, the hard work you do may not be physical, it may be mental. But, it still needs hours and hours of dedication.
Hard work is a life principle, an eternal truth, and so is its relationship with success. Hard work is the fuel you put in your car. Smart work is buying a fuel efficient car, driving well, maintaining the car in a good condition.
The car won’t move without fuel. Fill up your tank and zoom ahead!
