You may have heard the famous saying, “I hire lazy people to do the hard work because lazy people find the easiest way to do things.” We don’t know who precisely this quote is from, but we believe it. This quote challenges you to examine your work process and see if you are getting the desired output based on the energy and time you put in. Read more about innovative work and hard work and the difference.
Definition of hard work and innovative work
Usually, we are more familiar with the concept of hard work, which means that we spend a lot of time and energy on it. Brilliant work means you can do a task with the same quality as before but with less energy and time.
Brilliant work requires a work ethic, commitment to quality, and hard work. However, working smart allows you to multitask, so you can go home earlier or start a new job faster.
What is the difference between brilliant work and hard work?
We have always heard that hard work pays off, but this is not always true. Of course, we do not mean to stop trying. Instead, we should try to increase our productivity, that is, to do more and more valuable things with less effort. This feature is much more critical in today’s life and current work environments where speed is the first word. Next, we examine the essential differences between working intelligence and working hard.
1. Time
Hard work means spending a lot of time on a task or set of functions. Brilliant work means doing the same things with the same quality in less time.
2. quantity and quality
Working hard means focusing more on quantity than quality, but we concentrate equally on both when working smart.
3. Process
Hard work is usually the default mode of doing any work; we don’t think about how to do it. But intelligent work means that we pay attention to the method of doing it as much as doing the work. Prioritizing, delegating, and improving time management is also necessary to achieve the desired result.
4. The deadline for doing the work
Hard work is not always the best way to achieve a goal within a deadline. Brilliant work means doing things quickly, and it is a better choice when you have to finish something within a specific deadline.
How to acquire the skill of intelligent work?
1. Avoid multitasking
When you’re multitasking, you shift your focus from one task to another so quickly that it wastes a lot of energy. After each change, it takes 15 minutes for your brain to get used to the new task. So it is better to always focus on one charge. For this purpose, it is better to learn deep work techniques.
2. Paying attention to rest
When you have a lot to do, you are more likely to skip, rest, and eat. Not sleeping and not eating will hurt your health in the long run. At the same time, tiring yourself makes you make more mistakes.
If you don’t get enough rest, you will burn out. To avoid forgetting to rest, use time management techniques such as the Pomodoro technique. You will have more energy for the days ahead by resting between tasks.
3. Prioritizing tasks
Do the tasks that are more difficult and have more mental pressure sooner. When planning a week, put time-sensitive functions at the top of the list so you can complete them by the deadline. For larger projects, be sure to allow time for unexpected events.
4. Batching smaller tasks
Do smaller tasks together. For example, take a day and finish them all. Doing lots of things and crossing them off your to-do list frees your mind. These small tasks may be making urgent calls or replying to emails and WhatsApp messages.
These tasks require less concentration, and you can do them alongside other duties. Finally, you can continue your work for the rest of the day without worrying about forgetting anything.
5. Consider the amount of energy
Our energy levels change throughout the day. If we plan according to our energy level, our productivity will increase. If you have more energy in the morning, do hard work during those hours. If you have more power in the evenings, do things that require less effort and focus in the mornings.
6. Automating tasks
Automate everything possible. For example, use keyboard shortcuts and email filtering, and find a way to automate your daily tasks. When some of the functions are automated, you can focus more on your main tasks.
7. Prioritize yourself
Always put yourself first. If you are tired, you cannot help others. Be sure to take time to take care of yourself and avoid overworking yourself.
8. Foster a growth mindset
Cultivate a growth mindset. See every project as an opportunity to learn, grow, and increase your skills. With a growth mindset, you are constantly finding ways to increase productivity.
Competent workforce and intelligent goals
Before starting any big project, make sure you know its primary purpose. You and your colleagues must agree on the central issues and have a clear and orderly plan for doing the work. To have a clear idea of where to go, use SMART goal setting.
The word SMART means “intelligent” and is formed by combining the first letter of several other dishes. Each of these words represents one of the characteristics of smart goals:
- Specific: You need to specify precisely what you are looking for and where you will reach.
- Measurable: How will you know that you have reached the goal? There should be a straightforward way to measure your success.
- Achievable: Is this goal possible with the time and resources you have? If not, you need to plan more carefully to achieve the goal.
- Relevant: Is the goal you have considered in line with the performance and mission of the organization? Plan for your purpose only when it adds value to the overall goal.
- Time-bound: Do you have a specific deadline in mind? When you have a particular deadline and date to complete the task, your mind will focus more on achieving the goal.
Is the period of hard work over?
Being efficient and increasing productivity do not mean being lazy. When you work hard, you want to get the most out of it. The ultimate goal of innovative work is the same, but with the techniques of this style of work, you can find a good place in today’s work environment that is based on speed.
You have to strike a balance between working hard and working smart. If there is no way to reduce the time and energy required to do the work, the only way left is to work hard.
Is working brilliantly better than working hard?
Both methods of operation are helpful. You need to determine which work style is more suitable for your type of work and work environment. For example, working hard is usually a better choice for physical jobs in a factory, but working smart is more appropriate for employment in areas such as technology.
At the beginning of any job, you have to work hard to understand the processes and procedures correctly. Over time and as you master things, you can find ways to make the process more intelligent.
The difference in people’s personalities in innovative work and hard work
Working smart requires expertise and deep knowledge about how to do things. Only with deep learning can you find creative ways to get things done faster. Working hard also involves a commitment to duty and persistence to finish the job. Work commitment is significant because to work hard, you need to devote more time to a project or task.
People who do brilliant work are usually more creative and playful. These people are generally placed in leadership positions. Working hard is for those who like to follow instructions. These people typically become very good at what they do because they repeatedly repeat it for a long time.
Conclusion
Working smart and working hard are both essential and irreplaceable. Brilliant work means doing things in less time and with less energy. For this purpose, you must have mastered the work process by working hard so that you can find ways to do it faster.
None of these two working styles are excluded. To be successful in your work and be most productive, you must balance these two working styles and choose the type of work that suits your circumstances and personality.
