Work Smarter, Not Harder: Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

Posted byVanya Wryter ConsultingPosted inEducation, Entrepreneurship, Lifestyle, Work SkillsTags:, , , , , ,

It took a while for the well-known phrase “work smarter, not harder” to sink into my brain years after I’d first heard it. I get it now: the words are about focusing on efficiency and getting better results without burning out. But when I was younger, I used to think that working longer hours and keeping very busy would yield better results. That was really stupid because it was a recipe for burnout. Yet that’s what we’re taught in school. 

They say, get good grades, then get a job working 40 hours a week so you can retire at 65 is the ideal formula for success in life. But when I started to study business, I started to hear “work smarter, not harder” and identify the few actions that create the greatest impact. This principle is the 80/20 rule: 80% of results often come from 20% of effort. It’s not saying “be lazy.” It’s saying to use your time wisely.

Technology also plays a vital role. Automation tools, project management apps, and AI assistants reduce repetitive work, freeing up time for higher-value thinking (and eating and watching TV so you’re not burned out). Rather than slogging through routine tasks, you can dedicate energy to problem-solving, creativity, and decision-making.

Another key element is leveraging strengths. Working smarter doesn’t mean avoiding hard work altogether. It means putting your effort where your skills shine brightest. (Like spending more time on your favorite subjects when you were in school. Now that’s fun!) 

In the end, working smarter is about asking: Is this task worth my time? Is there an easier, faster, or better way? The goal isn’t to avoid effort, but to maximize it. Then you achieve more in less time with far less stress!

Daily writing prompt
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
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31 thoughts on “Work Smarter, Not Harder: Best Piece of Advice Ever Received”

  10. In one of my MBA classes, one of my classmates was a Coast Guard officer who volunteered this self-deprecating advice. “Give it to the laziest person, you know. He will find the easiest way to do anything.” There is some merit in that advice.

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  11. As I get older and hopefully wiser I find I’ve learned to do some complicated tasks very quickly. They used to take hours but now I know just how to get them right thru experience. And it’s a good thing, because I move slower and wear out in half the time!

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