What Does Working Hard Mean to You?
Business February 13th, 2009
I hear so many debates with employees and writers about how hard they work or how hard they work compared to others. Everyone has a a different meaning for what working hard really is. What is yours?
It is NOT Working More?
The first thing here is to explore a couple of areas that it is NOT. Working hard to me is not about working more or longer hours. This of course has it’s use from time to time but I don’t consider someone who works more on something necessarily working any harder. If you work a 35 hour week or a 70 hour week, perhaps you get the same amount of work actually completed? Who was working harder? Many people think the person working 70 hours is working harder. Not to me but again, depends how to look at things. Working more hours to get the same thing done in some ways is working harder but clearly this is undesirable. Who doesn’t want to get the same amount done in less time, after all?
Working Harder is Really Working Smarter
So, to work harder from the example above you need to work at the right things to get the same thing done in less time. If you are still producing the same amount of output in less time, then you are working on smarter things that deliver more per hour. This is what working harder is to me.
Less Time is Really Working Harder
Even though it often seems that more time on something is useful, it’s not. That is just a recipe asking for waste and overwork for no good reason. A bit of extra time spend to figure out the right things to work on and the items with the most payoffs per hour spent can make a huge impact on your time put into working. This can enable you to actually have less time working while getting the same amount done. This is known as the 80 / 20 rule or the Pareto principle where 80% of your output comes from 20% of the actual time working at that. Use this to your advantage and start working harder only by spending less time on the right things!
What Attitude Do You Have About Working Harder
- Do you think working harder is working longer hours?
- Do you think working harder is about working smarter in less hours?
What attitude do you portray about hard work with your friends and colleagues? Do they know what working hard means to you? Can you leave at the end of a 8 hour work day feeling satisfied that you truly did work hard through it? Please share some of your attitudes about working hard, I’d love to know what others think about this topic?
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Mike King
February 13th, 2009 at 8:03 AM
Hi Mike
Just playing with words a little … the opposite of hard work would be soft work. The picture that creates for me is ‘hard’ work = effort/difficult and ‘soft’ work = gentle/easy. And I guess in most work there are times when ‘hard’ is needed and times when ‘soft’ is needed. Which is probably another way of expressing what you are saying about working smart – i.e. choosing the appropriate way of working to suit what it is I’m doing.
I know many associate ‘hard work’ with lots of hours. Personally I don’t.
Great topic!
Ian
February 13th, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Thanks Ian and great addition with those thoughts. I like that idea of gentle/easy and yes when you are a hard worker (not by measure of hours) work does get a lot easier and of course as you suggest, there are still times where you still have to adjust the approach. If you work on the right things at the right time, it takes less time to accomplish.
February 13th, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Hard work to me, is anything that challenges my mind. Life was designed to help you achieve any desire you want. When you are not aligned with your desire, your negative feelings will tell you. Negative feelings are a guidance to help you realize that you are tuning-in to other channels that will not lead to your desire.
The reason people don’t like working, is because the body was never designed to be put into action where your desire is not found. The body was designed for the purpose of you experiencing the action of your desire, your thoughts/imagination were designed to call forth what you desire, and your feelings were designed to tell you how close your thoughts are to what you desire.
We live in such an action-based world, that we think we must take action to get results (hard work) and taking action is part of it, but only the actions that are inspired by the desire itself. The problem is that when people have a desire, instead of following through with that desire, they follow through with ‘where they are at’.
February 13th, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Hi Mike,
I agree the faster you work the more you can achieve during the course of a day.
I structure my daily work routine.Since I work from home it is not so easy to leave the office without returning after dinner.
I have a few things going on so the work is always there and never boring.I might finish my day job in 6 hours and use another 8 on the other stuff which is even more fun.
The hours are crazy we keep,I will say that much but I love it.
Working six days a week is nothing as long as we take the time to refuel and have some fun.
Besides it keeps me out of trouble:)
February 13th, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Very well said Nicholas. Your point about work with alignment to your desire is spot on. When you do that, things start to flow and hard comes much easier as well.
Bunny, thanks for that insight to your work perspective. I find the same that lots of work (mine is in different roles but still all adds up to many hours) must be refueled by sports, friends and other activities outside of that for fun. I totally agree.
February 14th, 2009 at 9:19 AM
When your heart is devoted and your mind focused, when the intention is there, your energy is channelled. The result matters less than the underlying intention and what you choose to learn from the experience.
February 14th, 2009 at 9:51 AM
I think “working hard” is a ‘distraction’…except where ‘appearance’ is the product we are selling.
The assessment intended would more correctly be a matter of production of whatever you or your employer is selling. Therefore, the value of one’s effort is in how much one contributes toward that end product–both directly and indirectly.
For example, if one is working for a software company and happens to be the most efficient programmer around, but is of a personal nature to disrupt the rest of the environment, they are not a very good investment. Their coworker may be half as proficient in coding, but supreme in creating a team environment and inspiring their coworkers into collective creation. This employee would actually be contributing more toward production of the salable product.
blessings and good fortune,
CG
February 14th, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Great thoughts. I’m adamantly opposed to claims about working harder meaning working longer. Though I haven’t exactly broken out of that trap, I know it can be accomplished. I liked your distinction about hard work being smart work. With that I agree. Thank you for putting it so well.
Blessings in Christ,
Marshall Jones Jr.
February 14th, 2009 at 9:28 PM
We live in an age when working is no longer confined to offices and as such the “hours” can no longer be correctly measured and are far from being an accurate representation of hard work (not that it ever was). For example, someone may be working very hard from home for six hours while another may be keeping up an appearance in the office for ten hours mostly internet surfing and talking on the phone.
We always associate “working hard” with “end results” regardless of appearances and time spent on a task. We always see the person who produces the best results given the limits of their capabilities as the ones who are working hardest.
February 15th, 2009 at 1:40 AM
Hi Mike, if the measure is the obtained result, I agree with you that hard work is smart work. But sometimes, I measure how hard one’s work from their struggle and spirit, like Lance Armstrong who spent 10 hours per day to train to become Tour de France championship.
February 15th, 2009 at 8:38 AM
Working harder to me means getting as much done within a certain time span as I can. Some people would say working in an office isn’t working hard. Go work outside in the elements for a couple weeks, that’s working hard. It’s all relative.
What it comes down to, for me, is the idea that I am productive. As long as we are knocking out great work that’s all that matters.
February 15th, 2009 at 9:27 AM
@Liara, well said, the intention of your work is certainly an important part of it.
@CG, too many people are selling themselves for that ‘appearance’ aren’t they. I like how you worded that. Your example compliments my points well about how working more or even in one way more productivity is not necessary the smartest way to work.
@Marshall – I know what you mean as far as not always being out of that trap, but certainly awareness for it helps to avoid it more often.
@A Friend – the idea of end results is definitely what matters. Thanks for your points on that.
@Arswino – Lance is certainly a hard worker, but you can see he also gets the results from that. His hard work is not just a perception or appearance of working more hours though, he truly works brilliantly hard for that many hours. Thanks for your comment.
February 15th, 2009 at 10:10 AM
I definitely don’t think working more hours is the way to go. There is only a certain point upon which you are effective. After that, you’re probably only fractionally effective and really wasting your time. Perhaps this is a bit ADD of me, but I like to work on something for 30 minutes and then shift gears and doing something else. I like to rotate to keep things “fresh”.
Great post Mike!
February 15th, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I’d say hard work is the opposite of easy work. If it’s hard, it’s hard work.
Sometimes hard work is smart, (like making that call you’ve been putting off out of fear), sometimes hard work is dumb (like spending hours chasing unqualified leads).
but, I think the case for “hard workers” is still important… no matter how good you are at focusing on the essentials, not everything that is going to have an impact is going to be easy.
I wouldn’t discount work ethic just yet :).
February 16th, 2009 at 1:14 AM
Hard work for me is smth monotonous and routine.It takes much time to do because it doesn’t matter in your mind.It is not so important for you and your business,it does not influence anything and so on and so forth.”Hard ” is just a code you give to the work must be done.Your thoughts about the work you do either raise motivation to do it or not.The work is just the work to be done and you do code it to be hard or easy.
February 16th, 2009 at 8:35 AM
@HIB, its true that we each have a a varying degree that we are really effective as well as the time we can work focused on one subject. Most research suggests it is around 90 minutes without taking breaks or gaps for something but of course everyone will find their own time. I know mine is longer but that has taken much practice.
@Halffull – Work ethic is and work hour is really what people generally think is more is harder working. You point of hard work being hard, well I would still look at what makes it hard? Sometimes the distractions, the procrastination or the wishing you were doing something else is what makes it hard, not the work itself. If you just get to it, focus on it and deliver just the hours you need on something without all that other stuff in the way, that hard work will be much, much easier.
@Dicki – If the work is monotonous, routine and doesn’t matter in your mind, why is it important enough to be doing making you think it is hard then? This just seems opposite of what I mean, if the work is on the right stuff and focused, it shouldn’t seem hard at all but something that flow more naturally.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Hi Mike. This concept of working smarter vs. harder and what it really means has always been a concept I’ve had a difficult time with. I’m finally beginning to wrap my head around it. I think that Think and Grow Rich has really helped me to grasp it better. It really is about being really really focused on what’s important to you, planning ahead and doing the smarter things. It’s really beginning to make a difference in my life. I would encourage everyone to read Think and Grow Rich to get a better grasp on this. I had tried before, but applying the principles that Hill has laid out for us seems to be the key to me. Brian Tracey has helped some too.
Thanks for discussing this important topic.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Mike: I suspect that our different “takes” on the work smart agenda are at least situational and generational. I am a professional who has the freedom to set his own hours, objectives, and measuring sticks. That’s different than the corporate person–who has objectives–but whose objectives that may not be as closely tied to his persona as in my kind of business. I’ve also had the good fortune over the years to create a business that I really enjoy–thus I find a lot of meaning and happiness in my vocation.
Our children have finished college and grad school, and live on the coasts, while we live in Minnesota. That also impacts our use of time and understanding of work’s meaning–and hours.
I suspect that the most happy person is the one who sees no difference between work and play. I’m fortunate in that I am able to take that outlook.
A few months ago, I did a historical and psychological analysis of the “work smart,not hard” mantra. It’s available on my blog: http://danerwin.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/10/index.html
http://www.danerwin.com
February 16th, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Thanks Jennifer and yes, sometimes these books such as Think and Grow Rich and Brian Tracey’s latest one “Eat That Frog” cover the topics well but they are worthless until you really go for it and start putting it into practice. It’s great it is making a difference for you, I think Hill book is absolutely excellent.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Mike,
Let me add a dimension to create a platform for my take: working for someone [employer, if employed] OR self, [if for own business]. This then introduces some additional elements to the discussion: sincerity & ability.
Sincerity in many situations is shaped by the attitude towards the employer and produce pretentious hard workers. They are deceptive hard workers! For those in own business, it doesn’t obviously apply.
The other seemingly hard working category of people consuming greater time for similar output are the people of limited ability. If different ability is the limiting factor, such people can never do it smartly [as suggested in the article].
The above digressions notwithstanding, for the average smart and sincere folks, the tips are great.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Hmmm. I may need to ponder that one a little more but my first reaction is that there is still the deceptive self that fits into both employed for someone and for self. I guess the notion of ability has variations as well as everyone with great abilities still has times of terrible output even if they are working very hard. Clearly there are more factors here to explore sometime and thanks for adding some additional thoughts to the discussions, it’s been quite fun so far! Any more?
February 16th, 2009 at 11:15 PM
If work is hard one should not do it. One should never work hard for any amount of time, because whatever quality you put into what you do you’ll get more opportunity to put that quality in what you do in the future. As you sow so shall you reap. There is always a way to make something easier and being keen on finding and doing the easier way will bring the most progress or productivity in the long run.
My Freedom, Finance, and Fulfillment Formula: Desire/Commitment + Passion/Fun = Success does not include hard work because when you are committed to fulfilling a desire you automatically bring your resources together to get something done in the easiest or most fun way. And sowing the field of work like that starts the growth good luck and having things go your way and get even easier.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Hard work is simply having the discipline and work ethic to do what it takes to get the results. People nowadays rationalize about working smart when they really mean they don’t want to work hard. Farmers and fishermen work hard. Olympic athletes work hard. But also the best doctos and lawyers work hard too. However smart you are, hard work is still needed to succeed.
February 17th, 2009 at 3:12 AM
Hi Mike.
I guess there are “workaholics”—they just cant get enough.
There are “lone-rangers”— he thinks he should do everything by himself–today resulting in longer hours.
And hopefully I belong to the group “result oriented”— people who get things done… knows the bottom-line… avoids the long hours…does not require more hours from others as well.
Great post by the way!
February 17th, 2009 at 4:40 PM
I think it’s definitely about working smarter, not longer hours. When I worked corporate I was efficient, the trouble for me was leaving when everyone else was still sitting behind their desks. I knew my work was done, but guilt set in. I never stayed later than I needed to if my work was complete, but I did feel like I was sneaking out.
Now that I’m on my own, I don’t necessarily work all the time, but I do find my thoughts tend to focus on my business/career, probably more often than I’d like. It’s finding a balance and being able to shut off those thoughts once in a while.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:40 PM
@Dhanamjaya – I can’t say I follow that reasoning or logic. I mean if you were to ignore all things hard this completely depends on what you consider to be hard or not. Isn’t that simply perspective then and leave you doing nothing if you think it too be hard? I would say that is what lazy people do all the time and they do not find things get easier for them simple by not doing it.
I like the idea of your formula but the whole notion of automatically bringing things together? huh?? What does that mean really.
@Start Blogging – Oooh.. I definitely think SOME people take advantage of the working smart but I have also found that those people who want it without believing and changing their habits don’t actually get more work done in less time, they simply do less work and become more and more unproductive. I agree that hard work is still necessary to succeed and I also believe that simply putting in more and more hours is NOT working harder or smarter and will get you no where, especially considering all life has to offer, and not just one portion of it, your business life.
@Productive Pinow – Spot on! And thanks for stopping by to comment. That results focus is what enables someone to eliminate the wasted time and get more done work in the same hours as the next guy, that’s working hard if you ask me!
@Stacey – It’s easy to hit that guilty feeling if you work with people who put long hours in. The way out is to always be looking at output though and results, if you do that you can leave early even after a day of good results feeling comfortable. If others choose to take longer to do the same amount of work, let them, you don’t need to!
February 18th, 2009 at 4:36 AM
[…] What Does Working Hard Mean to You? […]
February 18th, 2009 at 6:20 AM
Working Hard has many means as covered here but there is one more meaning in the phrase “he is a hard worker”. Yes, it could be that he puts lots of energy into the task or works long hours but it also could mean that he is a trusted worker.
Employers like people who they can trust to be on time, put their best effort into the job, and give an honest days work. As for the homeworker, it means that you are honest, give your best, follow through, work with the team and show that you are a “hard worker” as in disciplined.
Thanks for creating a great subject.
February 18th, 2009 at 6:50 AM
Mary, oh yes, this is a completely different angle and definitely true to some people as well. The hard worker adjective seems to have so many meanings. Trust between people seems to be based sometimes on your work ethic so I can understand how these become so easily related. Thanks for adding this point!
February 18th, 2009 at 9:02 PM
@Dan, sorry for the delay in your comment (got held up due to the links). I like your thoughts on alignment of the work and play and know quite well that most people don’t enjoy that alignment. As or me, some aspects I do and some I don’t but there is still a clear distinction to me about what play time and work time really are. Even if they are similar activities, the hard work is when you really get to it, focus and get results. Not the case if you are ‘playing’ around, that is for sure.
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:18 PM
I tend to work hard coming up with ways to make my tasks more efficient. I absolutely hate taking the long/effort-draining way to do things. Most times I am able to share a more efficient way with others so that we are all saving time. I look for ways to leverage technology to save time. It’s funny though how some people will opt for simple rather than efficient, even if it takes twice as long because they are afraid to learn a new tool. I’ve seen this happen most often around MS office applications, for example, when folks print out a hard copy to compare edits instead of using the merge/compare feature built in the tool.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Great points Tai. It’s always funny seeing things done the hard way isn’t it. Especially when we have an eye for effectiveness ourselves.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:07 PM
I think most people would consider the hardest workers to be those who work long hours AND are working hard during that whole time they are there. I always understood that to be the American work ethic.
If you’re not working hard the whole time you’re at work, you’re stealing from your employer. If you’re not working long hours, then I guarantee there is MUCH more you could be accomplishing than you are.
March 5th, 2009 at 8:58 AM
I didn’t have time to read all the comments so sorry if this is a repost of the same idea.
I agree with the article. Your rate of productivity is critial. To me a high rate of productivity times long hours equals hard worker (contingent that the hours are spent working).
In other words, I believe if you are relatively better than your peers at your job and you work more hours you are a hard worker.
March 5th, 2009 at 5:39 PM
@JJ and CC – you both seem to have the same idea that more hours AND productive hours is what counts. I do agree with that, but also have a strong belief that in order to truly work harder, you need to try to do it in less time, as it’s the only way to reach your most productive work.
April 14th, 2012 at 11:29 PM
What i would like to take away from this article is ” start working harder only by spending less time on the right things.” I guss just work hard for the right things in life and things that You like. And just focus on that and work less for other stuff you don’t like or want but still need. That what it means to work smart.