It is often said that hard work is a key to success. But is it really so? But don’t you think that word “Hard” contains some negative elements as well. We are always taught that working hard can help us achieve our dreams and aspirations. But is it better to do hard work or smart work! While working hard puts essential emphasis on putting in hours, smart work aims to find better and efficient ways to tackle different tasks and assignments. However, hard work is the key to success only if done joyfully and smartly. It is also believed that hard work and smart work are both essential to bring effectiveness and efficiency to a task. While hard work makes sure that we are putting in the hours needed to accomplish certain things within time, smart work focuses on bifurcating the quintessential factors like who is the best person to do a particular task, when is the right time for doing it and what kind of hurdles we can anticipate. So, when blended together, we can find the best way to successfully complete a set task within the time and ensuring its optimum quality. It is also said, “Work smarter, not harder. Hard workers are people who are goal-focused and study in-depth, without realizing the limitation of time. Their rigorous concentration often misleads them as they do not realize how dynamic the circumstances can be. Here is exactly where smart work comes into play. Sharply using your brain and by administering your analytical reasoning skills you can achieve your target in comparatively lesser time with minimal usage of resources and energy consumption. A job that takes hours to complete for someone who works hard, a smarter individual can finish it in less time. One of the classic examples of working smartly is Aesop’s Fables’ story of “The Crow and the Pitcher”. Smart work doesn’t indicate the absence of work but it is the ability to be spontaneous and use creative strategies. This boosts growth and also leaves time for other activities and creativeness. However, “Smart work” is highly subjective and various according to each individual. There isn’t any secret strategy that one can use. Even though some people are born and raised with certain qualities, developing skills for smart work is possible but takes substantial time. Here are a few points that can help us build ourselves. The elements of smart work include:
• Coming up with creative and rational ways.
• Being adaptable to situations.
• Being spontaneous in your actions and thoughts.
• Updated Knowledge of various prospects of your work.
• Being bold but not rebellious with your moves.
• Knowing the networks.
• Being able to make appropriate decisions at uncertain moments.
• Improvisation
• Knowing how and where to invest time and money.
• Knowing who’s who of your work or similar industries.
• Working with potential plus Intelligent Decisions
Do you think working round the clock would ensure you successful returns? When you want your hard work to really pays-off, it is equally important that you make smart decisions so that you get efficient outcomes using minimal efforts and resources.
Hard workers are people who are goal-focused and study in-depth, without realizing the limitation of time.
Then how can we carry out any work or assignment successfully?
• Know About your Goals:
Before you even st art working , it is of utmost importance that you have a clear vision of what your objectives are. When you do not know where your hard work is going, you end up wasting your time and energy. Always prepare a list of your short term and long term plans and trace your progress accordingly.
• Manage your Time:
Time is always precious and you have to be able to identify and schedule all your tasks precisely. Everything you do, ensure that you are not hampering your time and be aware of what types of tasks take the maximum time to complete. You would not want to ruin even your seconds doing anything wasteful.
• Know the Impact of Your Work:
Your aim should not be to achieve your goals anyhow but ensure fruitful and productive results. Do not execute your tasks blindly, rather know the impact your work and how does can this help you accomplish your targets. Keep a track on your working techniques and progress for profitable results.
So it is not good to teach our new generations that they can achieve success only through hard work and making them feel pain. I believe most of them become wary of success. It is better to teach them, that, passion, smartness and love towards anything that one works can lead them to success.
(The author is a Govt. High School Brakpora Anantnag. Views are his own)
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