Working Hard versus Working Smart

This message is not for everyone. So, if it doesn't apply to you, I understand you don't have to listen to it. This message is for you if you find that you work hard, you put in the hours, you put in a lot of effort, and yet the results you are getting do not match the time and effort commitment.

This message is for you if you've realized that there are many people who work half as much as you do, but are achieving twice, thrice, four times as much as you are achieving, then definitely this message is for you.

Hello, this is Jonah Mungoshi, the success coach on the half hour with Jonah Mungoshi. And today we are talking about working hard versus working smart.

We all know what working hard is. Working hard is putting in the hours, putting in effort and applying intensity, but not many of us are clear on what working smart is. So, I'm going to unravel that mystery. In fact, I'm covering four principles of working hard effectively, as well as seven commandments of working smart.

Four Principles for Effectively Working Hard

1. Simpleology 101

Principle number one, Simpleology 101. Principle number two, get real. Principle number three, maximize on your strength. Principle number four, customer satisfaction. So, let's discuss each one of them in a little bit more detail.

Simpleology 101 says that the shortest distance between two points lies in a straight line. When you work hard effectively, you make sure that you are as efficient as possible in moving from where you are to your desired goal in order to achieve the results that you want. Let's say for example you are a young person trying to impress a girl or a guy you want to ask out. You need to find out what their interests are, focus on those and do those things that will help endear you to that person.

But sometimes we find people introducing steps that don't necessarily add value. So maybe this person is interested in your character rather than your looks. And then you decide to go to the gym, spend a lot of time look like the hunk that will attract this lady. And yet, this is not important to the equation. And at the end of the day, by the time you look like a million dollars, this person is now going out with somebody else.

Let's look at another example. You are in a work situation perhaps. Yes, they respect your qualifications, but they're more interested in productivity. You already have a masters' degree, which means you're qualified for this job and then you go and study for two other masters degrees. But you know very well, it's not going to add value in your career.

2. Get real

Number two - get real, if you don't get real, you run the risk of suffering from the mad man syndrome, where you are doing the same thing and yet somehow expecting different results. Day in, day out of some people will repeat exactly what they've been doing, and somehow expect different results. So, you need to occasionally reflect on what you're doing and then see if it's working.

Ask yourself - is what I'm doing giving me the results that I desire, are my efforts and my time being applied in the right place? If you don't do that, you run the risk of suffering from the madman syndrome. You will not get different results, unless and until you change what you're doing. And you can only get there. If you get real. Reflect on what you're doing. And don't rationalize it and say, well, maybe perhaps I am sort of doing ok etc. You should be frank to yourself and say this is not working if it's not working. Because from that realization, you can then move on to applying your innovation, creativity – asking yourself, "what is it that I can do differently"?

3. Maximize on your strength

Number three, maximizing on your strength. When you maximise on your strength you're working in an environment, in a field where you can take advantage of your talent, of your knowledge and your skill. If you're working in an environment that doesn't capitalize or exploit your talent, your knowledge and your skills, you will not achieve as brilliant results as you would if you're working in an environment that capitalizes on that strength that you have.

So, find a way of gradually moving or redefining your work in such a way that you're maximizing on your strength. So that you're taking advantage of the strength that you have - that is your talent, your knowledge and your skill.

4. Customer satisfaction

Finally, customer satisfaction. Regardless of who you are, whether you're a preacher or a business person, or an entertainer you're there to satisfy some customer somewhere. If you're a preacher, obviously your congregants are your customers. If you are politician then the electorate are your customers, if you're an entertainer, all those fans who come to your shows are your customers. So as much as you want to do something that brings out your bliss, you need to look at the demand that is there. So, to what extent is the work you're doing meeting the requirements and the expectations of your stakeholders, particularly those we can consider to be your customers.

Those are the four principles of working hard effectively simpleology 101, get real, maximizing on your strengths, customer satisfaction.

On the other side, I am going to share with you seven commandments of working smart. But remember the jury's still out. I've not yet shared with you, which is better, in my opinion, working hard or working smart. I've not even defined what working smart is. So, if you want to know which is better and if you want to know what working smart is, stay tuned in and you will find out on the other side.