Why do you need to work hard and smart at the same time

We've often heard that it is always better to work smart than to work hard. But what is the difference? Do hard workers not work smartly? Or do smart people not work hard? All through school and college we've been told that it is important to burn the midnight oil in order to achieve something. You need to toil and sweat if you want to reach your goals. Then why suddenly are we being told to work smart instead of working hard? Being smart is about making the right decisions. If you make the correct choices and associate with the right people, you'll move up the ladder faster. However, working hard and working smart are two sides of the same coin. Here's why.

Image : shutterstock

Why is hard work important?

Only when you are aware of how a certain task can be completed can you work smartly through it. All smart work has its foundation in hard work. To evolve into a smart worker, you need to focus on each and every step in your way. Every successful individual will vouch for the fact that they put tons of hard work to achieve their goals. No matter how hard you work, at the end of the day, there is always room for improvement. Hard work is imperative to remain focused on the task at hand. Every employee begins a project or a task by putting in his hard work. When he starts figuring out the shortcuts and strategies along the way, his hard work gradually grows into smart work. Relentless effort combined with an intelligent working technique will help you get closer to the success you desire.

Why is smart work important?

While hard work is the cornerstone of prosperity, simply working round the clock doesn't ensure progress in the long run. If that were the case, an individual who works two shifts a day would be richer than a businessman who barely puts in five hours of work in a day. Smart work is when we map out the route of the job at hand and carefully plan how to go about it. It requires being prepared for the obstacles that you might encounter in the future and the different methods that can be used to overcome those obstacles. Smart work is the modern version of survival of the fittest. Those who work wisely get recognised and those who don't get left behind.

To sum it up, one must remember at all times that there are no shortcuts to success. You need to work smart as well as hard if you want to reach your goals. While hard work requires you to pursue your goals under all circumstances, smart work saves a lot of time and allows you to be more organised. With plenty of competition in every field, working hard as well as smart is the need of the hour.