Poll: Work clever vs work hard - which long term lifestyle makes more sense now?

[Brian_G]

When us Boomers and some of Generation X were growing up, the general ethic taught to us was to work hard. Then it changed to "work clever".

Not suggesting that working hard is fun or anything like that (though it can be) , but what has our society become?
Perhaps too much automated, and what of everything running under corporate rule these days? Those who remember more of the smaller shops and traders - don't you miss the atmosphere, the personal attention, the product qualities?

Work clever has its place too of course. Why do extra work if you don't need to.

"Work hard" is usually misunderstood I think, actually refers more to the following - put your back and soul into what you do, be proud and achieve something personally worthwhile.

 

[Cray]

Working hard for the sake of it is for the birds.

Happy to work hard if no other option exists but there is something very satisfying about working smart, either through efficiency or a novel solution, that allows you to work less hard to achieve the same or greater results.

 

[My_King]

Depends, but both, and lie about it

 

[ShaunSA]

I've always been a lazy sod so working clever* was always the go-to option

*It's work smart

 

[Brian_G]

I've always been a lazy sod so working clever* was always the go-to option

Veery honest

*It's work smart

Yeah, I remember now


Added "Unsure"

 

[cat41]

Working hard for the sake of it is for the birds.

Happy to work hard if no other option exists but there is something very satisfying about working smart, either through efficiency or a novel solution, that allows you to work less hard to achieve the same or greater results.

Also working hard is difficult to conceive of if your boss is a skunk.

 

[TheOracle]

Other: Let my money hustle while I chill and enjoy life!

 

[FiestaST]

AI-assisted workflow is a real thing & I be living/loving it.

Critical thinking is not replaced.

If you are not caught up you will get further left behind.

YMMV.

 

[saor]

Don't really understand the question.

I have a client who needs a job done.
I get the job done.
I don't sit and ponder over whether to do it hard or smart.

 

[Brian_G]

If you are not caught up you will get further left behind.

YMMV.

If anything I would think you're into "hard" work, your posts show you love it and are dedicated.

But good point this, especially if it's true that most jobs are threatened and that AI use ability is a last hope of sorts for many.

 

[cat41]

Don't really understand the question.

I have a client who needs a job done.
I get the job done.
I don't sit and ponder over whether to do it hard or smart.

Do you go about doing your job with heart, or do you just factor in efficiency?

 

[Smiggles]

Work smart. Took people 10 minutes to capture one invoice via edit in Excel etc. I showed them they can just copy the Excel data directly into the ERP saving them around 8 minutes per invoice. Instead of it taking a day it now takes 2 hours max.

 

[Zellephant]

I have to go with a mix of both. Working clever is an absolute must if one wants to to get ahead in life, and ensure your children’s circumstances are better than your own where in today’s society.

But working hard has its own intrinsic value, and provides a profound sense of meaning to one’s life.

I would say work clever to get your self into a position where you can choose what you want to work hard on.

There is very little if any feeling on earth as good as coming home to a home you built with your own hands, and sharing that with family for example.

 

[Neuk_]

Other: Google it, solve the problem and then use large words to sound more photosynthesis.

 

[Lupus]

Work smart, monitoring, scripts and automation

 

[PaulKempTheSecond]

Both. All work has slog in it. When you are young doing shitty work teaches you to endure and if you are smart you figure out ways to do things more efficiently.

That said, spending days coding something that allows you to hit run and sit back while it processes laborious tasks is fairly rewarding too.

You need the developmental context of labour to understand its benefits.

 

[SauRoNZA]

There’s working hard because it’s what needs to be done either through long hours or physical labour.

But doing the same brainless thing over and over and over when better options exist is not working hard…it’s just burning time.

Example : A person working in a kitchen doing the dishes by hand is not working hard when dishwashers exist that are faster and more efficient, they are working dumb and just burning time.

 

[cguy]

Work hard and work clever. They multiply each other.

 

[RedViking]

Work hard and work smart = productive

Problem is:

Work hard + work smart + MyBroadband

 

[RedViking]

There’s working hard because it’s what needs to be done either through long hours or physical labour.

But doing the same brainless thing over and over and over when better options exist is not working hard…it’s just burning time.

Example : A person working in a kitchen doing the dishes by hand is not working hard when dishwashers exist that are faster and more efficient, they are working dumb and just burning time.

That's the thing. Dishwashers are not necessary faster. Washing by hand can take 15 minutes and packing away 5 minutes for a well experienced wife.

Next time check the CV and Portfolio first.

Dishwashers you first need to pack (assuming you have already unpacked the previous lot), then an hour and half wash cycle, then the unpack.

I still prefer a dishwasher. Didn't check the CV and portfolio.