Working Hard or Working Smart?

What is the difference you might ask? Most people do work hard but most of us also have too much to do. So how can you turn working hard into working smart and efficiently?


The definition for working smart is: ‘The practise of utilizing your time for maximum result meaning to achieve greater results in life without spending any more time but using the time differently.

Realising that you can have it all may be the most effective way to achieve real success, both on a professional & personal level. Become aware of the here and now and ask the question if the activity you are doing will be an investment in time or an expense. Is the TV program really important or would a catch up with a friend or studying a new subject a better investment in your time? Do you need to attend the meeting or could your colleague go instead? Is this really the best time to do the shopping?

Before you start a task or project always ask the following questions:

A. Have I set the correct priorities?

B. Can I delegate?

C. What benefits does it have?

D. Is this the right time/day/month/year to do it?

Get into a habit of asking these four questions before you start any activity. Did you know that a new habit is created by repeating something 20 times? Get started today. Break down your daily activities from opening the mail, doing the dishes, planning a conference to starting a new business – start working smart today!

Next week we will focus in more detail on the power of planning. Until then THINK HARD & WORK SMART!