Sometimes we get mixed messages about the value of hard work. Hard work is often seen as positive and indicative of having good ethics and values, also known as work ethic. Work ethic is defined by the notion that hard work is virtuous and deserves to be rewarded. In essence, working hard can mean you’ve earned a positive outcome by breaking a sweat or grinding it out- whatever it is.
Placing too much emphasis on working hard can be confusing when things feel easy. If working hard is the indicator of good work ethic, what happens when you operate in your strengths?
Working Hard May be Working Against You
If you’ve lived with the notion that working hard is the measurement for personal success you may be working too hard. Despite the sentiment that hard work pays off, working smarter, not harder, may be a better way to go.
Working from your strengths makes it possible to work smarter rather than harder but many people don’t understand the value of strength-based work. After years of being told hard work is the ticket to success, they ditch what comes easy out of a misguided belief. Many times, people don’t pursue careers or activities that they love in the name of working hard. Or they engage in grueling schedules that zap their energy and any joy they may have felt along the way.
Here are two reasons why working hard is working against you
- You may skip doing what you love
- You may be leaving money on the table
Working Smarter, Not Harder Makes Good Sense- Working smarter rather than harder is practical. It makes sense to choose to spend your time doing things that are easy for you or that you enjoy. This doesn’t mean you should become lazy and lack initiative and drive or avoid tasks that aren’t in your wheelhouse. It simply means choosing strength-based work or activities rather than ones that drain you can make a positive impact on your life.
Many people skip doing what they love out of a sense of duty or ethics. Many people trade hours for dollars even when they can complete a task faster than the time allotted. Many people sacrifice their happiness for environments that are toxic. In these ways, working harder is working against you.
Working Smarter, Not Harder Makes Good Cents- Working smarter rather than harder is lucrative. It’s not always true that working hard generates the highest reward. It’s a common misconception that anything worth having must be hard to get. It is entirely possible to earn income easily. Operating from a strength-based perspective helps. Doing activities that come easily can help you generate income with ease. If your strength is computer programming, it doesn’t make sense for you to dig ditches when you could be coding. If you love to bake, it makes sense to sell cookies and cakes rather than stand at a cash register ringing up purchases.
Many people leave good money on the table that could be earned quicker and easier than their current sources of income. There are many ways to earn more by working less. There are ways to work easier and still have incredible work ethic.
Depending on your frame of reference, you may be working harder than you need to be. Examine how hard you are working and whether or not it is making a positive impact on your life. While certain forms of working hard are admirable, some are not. Working smart is clearly preferable to working hard in every case.
