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

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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A Lesson I Wish I Had Learned Earlier in Life

If I could go back and give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: start a side business early. For years, I believed the traditional career path was the right one—get a job, work hard, climb the career ladder. But economies shift, industries change, and jobs disappear, so stability is not guaranteed.

What I didn’t realize at the time is that having a side business isn’t just about making extra money. When you run even the smallest business on the side—whether it’s freelancing, selling a product, or offering a service—you create an additional financial safety net. No matter what the economic climate or job market looks like, you have something of your own to fall back on.

Beyond financial security, a side business teaches you a valuable set of skills that you might not get from having a job. You learn how to market yourself, manage finances, solve problems creatively, and build relationships with customers. These skills are transferable to every aspect of life, including your main career.

And here’s something else I wish I had realized sooner: a successful side business can completely change your retirement timeline. Instead of waiting until your 60s to step away from work, the income and flexibility from a thriving business can open the door to financial freedom much earlier. You’re no longer tied to the traditional path of “work until retirement age.” You gain the freedom to choose when and how you work.

So, if I could turn back the clock, the lesson I would impart to my younger self would be to start a side business as soon as possible.

Daily writing prompt
Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.
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The Red Flag of Passive Aggressiveness

Everyone has a personality trait that makes them avoid someone. For me, that trait is passive aggressiveness. At first glance, it can be easy to miss because it is so subtle. It often looks like cooperation and agreement. But over time, you see past the stealth because actions and words don’t match.

I experienced this while working on a project with a friend. She was very enthusiastic at the start. She would ask what tasks needed to be done, appreciate the checklists I made, and appear interested. But the follow-through was always incomplete. If I asked for research formatted into a document, she would do the research but leave it in the wrong format, acknowledging the mistake but never fixing it. The checklists were left five minutes short of finished, and somehow the final steps always landed back on me.

After months of this imbalance, I finally said it was frustrating to carry 90% of the workload when tasks weren’t being finished. That’s when she finally admitted she had lost interest months ago. Later, she revealed she didn’t even like the project. Yet, for three whole months, she kept showing up, doing the bare minimum, and letting me believe she was still part of the project.

To me, that’s not just avoidance—it feels like dishonesty. Passive aggressiveness disguised as politeness avoids necessary conversations and creates more strain for others. A simple, honest admission early on like, “I’ve realized this project isn’t for me,” would have saved time, energy, and frustration.

That’s why passive aggressiveness is my red flag. Why waste everyone’s time on a charade when a quick discussion would do? It would also save the friendship because now I question the honesty of everything she says.

Daily writing prompt
What personality trait in people raises a red flag with you?
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What Does Your Ideal Home Look Like?

If you came to visit me in my ideal home, you would first step into a luscious garden. You’d be surrounded by vibrant flowers, lush green plants, and the gentle music of a small fountain. There are cozy nooks with chairs and benches tucked between the greenery, perfect for morning tea or late-afternoon daydreaming. The garden is a space to relax, recharge, and breathe in fresh air.

Stepping inside, you’ll find a personal library lined with books to invite quiet evenings of reading, while my workstation makes it easy to focus on creative projects or computer work. Security cameras provide peace of mind, ensuring that this sanctuary stays safe and protected.

My living room will be the natural gathering spot. Comfortable couches arranged around a fireplace encourage long conversations with family and friends. The kitchen is designed for ease. Imagine opening the fridge or pantry to always find ready-made meals waiting, so there’s no stress about what to cook.

The entire home is relaxing and practical. My ideal home is more than four walls—it’s a haven filled with warmth, growth, and little touches that make everyday living enjoyable.

Daily writing prompt
What does your ideal home look like?
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What was the last thing you searched for online?

If you really want to know someone, ask them about their internet search history. That little trail of questions can be revealing. In my case, my search history might make me look like an unhinged movie villain with a tech problem.

As a writer, I spend a lot of time googling things that would raise eyebrows if you didn’t know the context. For example, “would a person drown easily” was one of my recent searches for a story I was writing. Not because I’m plotting anything nefarious, but because fiction demands believability. 

Then there are the health-related searches. A friend asked me about her medical condition, and I wanted to give thoughtful advice, so I did some quick online digging. Without knowing this, someone looking at my search results may think I was the one with the health issue.

I search for a lot of places as well, especially when deciding on where to dine. I’ll check how to get somewhere…and then never actually go to that place because I found a place more convenient. So I appear to plan ambitious trips and abandon them before leaving my driveway.

And TV shows? I have the patience of a two-year old. I’ll watch something, get curious, and search, “How does episode 4 of season 2 end?” or “Who is the new guy?” because I skipped a few episodes. Online searching is a real time saver.

The one constant in all my searches? Tech problems. Easily a quarter of my searches are about the software I use, price comparisons, if the latest virus is a real threat or a hoax, or what-on-earth is this tech term I just heard about.

All in all, my search history paints a funny, chaotic picture—equal parts dark, nerdy, and hopelessly curious. In other words, a writer just trying to figure it all out.

Daily writing prompt
What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it?
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