"We need to work smart, not hard." I'm sure you've heard that expression or a variation of it, and perhaps you use it yourself.
It's one of those expressions that's rooted in truth, and it can come in handy. But be careful how you use it.
Obviously, working smart makes good sense. Our efforts should go toward high-priority tasks, the tasks that contribute to important goals. Successful people have learned how to manage their efforts. They work hard to complete the important tasks and they ignore the petty stuff that clamors for attention but leads nowhere.
Figuring out how to work smart is one of life's most worthwhile achievements. If you feel that you're spinning your wheels, as though you have to run a marathon to get from first to second base, there might be a smarter way. Take a step back and think about changing your approach. Use your head, analyze and get creative with your solutions. Incidentally, it's a lifelong process, there's no "one size fits all" solution to working smart.
The problem with the expression "work smart, not hard" is that people who use it seem to be implying that there is a back door to success. Once the secret key to the door leading to the hidden stairway is found, it will no longer be necessary to work hard. Just open the door, climb the stairway, and - voila - no more hard work.
That simply is not true. The hidden stairway leads nowhere.
Working smart is required. Trying to "work smart, not hard" is extremely dangerous. Change the "not" to "and," and you have a priceless gem of truth. Work smart AND hard. Now that's powerful. That will take you as far as you want to go. "Smart and hard" is the key to building businesses, industries, empires and your successful career.
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Amy Schurr is an editor for Network World's Management Strategies and Features sections. If you have any career topics you'd like her to cover or want to comment on this newsletter, you can reach her at aschurr@nww.com.
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