The internet is a great source of advice from well-meaning individuals about how to improve your career and life (including this from me). Recent observed advise include taking longer lunch breaks to read books, setting the phone to airplane mode to avoid incoming calls and notifications, and avoiding working overtime. This might be fine and necessary for certain types of jobs and certain settings, for example writers and creative professionals who depend to a larger extent on their creativity. However, for many others, following this kind of advice will be your express ticket to a stalled career.
Many also compare working hard vs. working smart. However, putting them up against each other is futile: If most people could succeed without working hard wouldn’t almost everyone succeed? And who doesn’t want to work smarter?
Let’s first start by realizing that success means different things to different people, and many don’t have a clear vision of what success is to them. To make matters worse your success criteria is also likely to change as you progress through different phases of your life. Considered ultra-successful by most billionaire Warren Buffett at 82 years of age says “If the people you want to love you love you, you’re having success.” — Do you think he had the same definition of success when he was 18? 30? 50?
Figuring out what success means to you might be hard. A simpler approach may be to focus on what you are passionate about. If you are spending most of the day doing what you are passionate about isn’t that success? In fact, there is a beneficial feedback loop at play here: you are more likely to succeed doing something that you are passionate about!
Once you have a vision of your success or know what you are passionate about for most people working hard and smart is necessary to achieve your success. Yes, there are examples of individuals who neither have worked hard or smart and still achieved success, but by working hard and smart you have a better fighting chance.
Let’s consider for a moment what is called the 10,000 hour rule, coined in 2008 by best selling author Malcolm Gladwell. Mr. Gladwell posits that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert in any field. Although this rule is not without critics, putting in the required effort is a critical and often overlooked component in succeeding. I have seen too many people virtually put their career on cruise control, to later find themselves surprised by the dullness of their job and the lack of opportunities. (To read more about the recent controversy and discussion regarding the 10,000 hour rule please check this Time Magazine article for a more in-depth analysis, as well as this story in The Atlantic).
Other advice I have seen include leaving at a certain time from work — regardless of whether your tasks has been finished. However, in many cases following this advice can cause more stress rather than alleviate it. If you leave for the day with half-finished work you are less likely to be relaxed when you’re home (especially if your engaged and passionate about what you do) — rather, you spend time thinking about the unfinished work and how far behind you are, and how to solve this and that. My advice is to work through it — it is better to stay till 8 or 9pm and FINISH properly before you head home. It will be important to be fully present and engaged wherever you are, whether at work or at home. Granted, this doesn’t always work but you’d be amazed how effective this can be in reducing your stress levels when are you home. If you have to do this every night, you have a more fundamental problem, though.
Some like to inform clients or bosses that they are not available after work — some do it directly, while others do it indirectly by making themselves unavailable after hours. Who do you think your boss will promote next? The one that stays engaged and willing to chip in when needed, or the one that was consistently unavailable when he needed something urgently?
Your competitive edge gets dull if you don’t use it and regularly sharpen it. Staying engaged with projects that challenge you and help you expand your abilities and networks further is an important prerequisite for long-term success.
Your most important assets in achieving success is your knowledge, skills and relationships. You need to continuously find ways to nurture all. Keep the following in mind as you continue your journey:
You don’t gain knowledge by following the herd and by resting on prior accomplishments — real, hard work is necessary, but doesn’t feel as work if you’re truly passionate about your work
You don’t gain skills unless you continuously seek ways to put your knowledge into practical use
Your knowledge and skills are worth significantly less if you can’t articulate what they are and demonstrably put them to effective use
Opportunities often show up at your doorsteps when you’re not home or when it is inconvenient according to your “5-year master plan”. Always be alert and flexible so that you can take advantage of the opportunities when they come — they may not return
Real people hire, promote and fire people and buy products and services from other real people. You need to find your way of building your network — your success depends on it. You don’t gain relationships by shutting people out and appearing inflexible.
Vik Bulletin 