We’ve all heard it before. Someone who believes themselves to be a font of sage and original advice taps you on the shoulder one day and says to you in a kind, fatherly, patronising voice, “Work smarter, not harder.” Then they smile as if they have just bestowed the wisdom of the universe upon you and then they move along, sure that they have just saved another soul from a weary life of working too hard.

While I have my own rants on the subject (you should be working smarter AND harder), there is a kernel of truth somewhere in that overused cliche. But it’s probably not what you think it is.

What working smarter actually means

If you’re ready, I’m about to turn our cliche upside down. You ready? Here it is:

Working smarter means freeing up time that you can reallocate elsewhere.

Or, to put it another way:

The purpose of working smarter is to increase efficiency and productivity.

That’s right. Working smarter is not about avoiding hard work; it’s about providing more time to be able to work. You work smarter so your work goes farther.

Working smarter does not replace the need to work hard; it allows you more time with which you can work hard. Working smart does not necessarily make you more productive; it just provides the opportunity to be more productive.

Working smarter AND harder

This is why you have to work smarter AND harder. Together, they allow you to be more productive in a shorter period of time.

Too many people think that working smarter allows them to be lazy. Winners know that working smarter actually allows them to work harder.

Dynamic lessons

“Work smarter, not harder” is misleading. The purpose of working smarter is to provide more time that can be used to work harder. Try living by a new maxim: “Work smarter AND harder.”

I wanted to make one last point on the subject of time. If you work smarter and harder, you will find yourself with more time than you had previously. That time is yours to invest. Invest that time into what matters most in your life. Whether it’s your family, your friends, your hobby, your job, whatever, invest your time in that.

Productivity allows you to take time back. Don’t squander it.

What are some awesome productivity tips and time-savers you have discovered? Share your wisdom with the rest of us in the comments section below!