You're competent but you work hard like a bee. Don't be like that! Because a little creativity can help you go further in your work and on your career path!
Are you working hard or working smart? Hard work vs smart work - which one is better? Is the saying "work smart, not hard" a good advice? Read the following article of Navigos Search to learn for yourself and get a satisfactory answer.
1. What's the difference between hard work and smart work?
You can imagine the difference between hard work and smart work through the table below:
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Hard work
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Smart work
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Definition
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Spending a lot of time completing one or more tasks
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Finding an efficient way to get one or more things done while still ensuring quality and time
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Priority
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Focusing on quantity rather than quality
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Balancing quantity and quality
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Approach
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Handling work in the usual way instead of finding another flexible and optimal method
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Discovering efficient ways to work in order of priority and in an organized way
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Process
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Completing a certain amount of work in a given time
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Planning, organizing and assigning tasks in order of priority with flexible and scientific time to achieve goals
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Hard work is not an effective way to achieve goals when time is limited
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Smart work helps manage time effectively and achieve goals on time without compromising on quality
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Both of these methods give good results. However, smart work is considered optimal as it consumes less resources while the end result is the same as hard work.
Distinguish between hard work and smart work
2. Is “work smart, not hard” a good advice?
The term “work smarter… not harder ” originated in the 1930s by Allen F. Morgenstern- an industrial engineer, who created a work simplification program, with the intent to increase production with less effort
This expression was later used by the Scrooge McDuck cartoon character created by Carl Banks in 1947. The character always said "Work smarter than the smarties and tougher than the toughest." In the words of the character Scrooge McDuck, hard work and smart work are important.
Furthermore, there are many discussions around hard work and smart work. Contradictory opinions were raised when Gordon B. Hinckley - an American religious leader said "Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds".
Which one is correct? Perhaps the result is not right or wrong, it depends on the choice of each person.
However, the truth about the benefits and results that smart work brings is undeniable. With one task, the person who chooses to work hard takes less time to complete tasks compared to who chooses to work smart.
To get good results and optimize time, all of us think work smart, not hard. No one wants to sit for 8 hours just to solve a single task while there is a way to solve it with half of that time and spend the rest doing other things or rest and relax.
In the end, perhaps the saying work smart, not hard smart is good advice!
Do you choose hard work or smart work?
3. Ways to work smart for high performance
Here are some ways to work smart with high productivity, and make you a better person at work:
Know your work goals
You will waste your time and effort if you don't know what the purpose of the work is. Therefore, it's necessary to understand the task to be completed. Make a daily to-do list and cross us off the list if done. The more items crossed out are, the more motivation you will get to finish the rest of the work.
Research carefully before embarking on implementation
The research process will provide the understanding of the field and the work that you need to do. From there, you have a more comprehensive and in-depth view of the work and make the process smooth without making unnecessary mistakes.
Don’t spread yourself thin
Many people think that performing multiple tasks at the same time is an effective way to work. However, our brain works more efficiently when focusing on only one task at a time.
According to the American Psychological Association, we can spend up to 40% of our time switching jobs. With complex and unfamiliar work, it will consume even more time. Taking on many tasks at the same time makes the brain work stressful without bringing high performance. Thus, the way to work smarter is to focus your energy on a certain task.
Useful articles for you: Deadlines and the art of effective work practices
Put devices distracting you aside
There are many factors that distract you such as phones, tablets. Many people often spend hours and days using Facebook, Zalo, Instagram, Tiktok only for fun.Therefore, unless you need to use your phone at work, turn off all notifications to focus on what you're doing.
Besides, it is also difficult for you to avoid some other factors at work such as the sound of colleagues talking or the sound of machines operating. At this point, use noise-canceling headphones or you can move to a quieter place to focus on work if possible.
Put devices distracting you aside
Collaborate with colleagues
If you feel overwhelmed by your workload and feel you can't solve it, you should seek help from colleagues, subordinates, or someone who can complete it. During the working process, try to collaborate with them to get the job done faster and more efficiently.
Apply different methods
Try to think of different methods and improve work efficiency. For example, you can divide a large project into smaller tasks, then work on each small task, and take a break after each task. When finishing a project, get up and walk around, enjoy a cup of coffee or drink to get energy for the next project.
Hone the necessary skills
No matter who you are and what position you are, soft skills are essential for you. You should invest in taking skill courses related to your profession. Possessing good skills will be easier for you to apply professional knowledge and be more convenient at work.
Never stop learning and innovating
If you've been using a way for too long but the results are still not getting better, try finding a new method. Brainstorm to think of ways to increase productivity and save time. And even if your work results are already good, continue to research to optimize more.
In the period of integration with rapid development, you will lose opportunities for promotion, be left behind, or even be eliminated from the profession if you do not update the latest knowledge and methods.
You can still choose to work hard, work smart, or both. The most important thing you need to remember is that doing nothing and not learning will make you slow and hold you down. If you're working hard but the results aren't coming, try exploring how to work smarter. Sometimes, a little change in the way you work can also save hours of typing at your company!
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Non-stop learning is a must
Just like in the job search process, instead of spreading your CV to many recruitment agencies, you should find a job smartly by understanding your favorite jobs, requirements, and suitability in skills and experience, desired salary, etc. Only then your job search will become much more effective. Navigos Search can assist candidates in finding a job handily.
In the job category on Navigossearch.com, you will find many positions in many different industries and fields. If you are looking for a job, don't hesitate to visit our website to choose and apply for the appropriate position. Or you can actively send us your CV for a chance to become a potential candidate in our candidate database.
When you send us your CV and contact us, you will become potential candidates. When there is a suitable job position, we will actively contact, invite you to apply, and support you throughout the application process. After you are selected, our recruitment specialists will continue closely monitoring and supporting you to help you achieve "success after joining".
Our consultants are recruitment experts who understand the industry, the labor market, and always accurately grasp the recruitment requirements for each industry. With a methodical recruitment process, we have helped many candidates find the desired job position, develop themselves, and succeed on their career path.
In addition, with a database of 375,000+ senior candidates, 85,000+ senior management candidates and optimal recruitment solutions, we are confident to be a middle and senior-level personnel "talent hunter". We are proud to have accompanied and helped many businesses and corporations across Vietnam get the best quality workforce.
Vietnam’s number 1 middle and high-level personnel recruitment agency
With many outstanding strengths, Navigos Search is an ideal "stop" on the journey of finding middle and high-level jobs for most candidates. Don't hesitate to contact us if you are looking for any middle, senior-level position or your business is looking for talents.
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