Last updated 30 November 2021 ·
In our pursuit of productivity and growth, we often find ourselves working long hours and chasing unrealistic targets. Sometimes, workloads can get out of hand, and pushing ourselves to the limit of what we can take on can seem like the only option. However, there is a big difference between working hard and working smart.
Mastering the art of working smart is essential for cultivating a sustainable work-life balance. Pushing yourself too hard is a guaranteed path to burnout - but working less doesn’t have to mean getting less done.
What is working smart?
“Work smarter, not harder” is a term that is often thrown around in conversation, but what does it really mean to work smart? Many people have their own definitions for what this means to them personally, but the general consensus is very similar.
Working smart is the concept of streamlining processes and using technology and the people around you to find the most efficient and effective ways of working. Using smart objectives to achieve smart goals with smarter working methods ultimately leads to better performance and happier individuals.
How does working smart differ from working hard?
Working smart focuses on the principle of achieving goals in a more effective way. It is a common misconception that working hard is the best path to success, but the impact it can have on your personal life and even your health mean this is far from being the best choice.
Hard work prioritises the quantity of work rather than the quality, and takes a linear route to achieving goals. Working smart instead places importance on being much more flexible and producing higher quality work to tighter time constraints. The benefits of working smart almost always outweigh what you can achieve by working hard.
The benefits of working smart
To effectively highlight the wealth of benefits that come along with working smart, let’s consider the Pareto Principle, better known as the 80-20 rule. This is the idea that for many things in life, 80% of consequences are a result of 20% of causes.
When applied to the world of work, this concept begins to make a lot of sense. Often, we spend a vast amount of time and energy on things that give us very little return on investment. To work smarter would be to focus more of our time on the 20% of our work that provides 80% of the reward.
This, in turn, frees up 80% of our time to focus on other things. Achieving more in less time leaves us feeling accomplished, fulfilled, and motivated to tackle our next challenge. The sheer amount of time that working smart frees up gives us more opportunities to focus on family, personal goals, and other projects.
Streamline your company vision and boost productivity with Reclaro
At Reclaro, we are revolutionising the way that team’s interface with one another through the use of our award-winning 1-3-5® OKR software. Our platform provides the ideal framework to streamline workflow and inspire staff performance for faster growth.
Through the use of our ground-breaking software, keeping your vision and strategic priorities at the forefront of company operations has never been easier. This unique way of working is proven to boost productivity and drive your business toward a common goal.
To find out how Reclaro can help you work smarter and reclaim valuable time for yourself, book a 15-minute discovery call with me, Pete Wilkinson, today. My passion is helping people be the best they can be and reach their full potential.
