Are you working hard or smart?

09 Sep Are you working hard or smart?

Working smarter vs working harder

Are you fed up? Have you got enough of working long hours and interminable shifts or more a day, everyday?

And then being so exhausted that time flies by in a blur?

Before you know it, Monday is here again and there you are stood in front of your mirror, rushing through your morning ritual of brushing, washing, and wishing that you had more time for you and your loved ones.

Are you paid enough for the sacrifices you make? Or are you working a JOB – Just Over Broke, each month. Not enough to save, not enough to quit working even for a month or two…hmmm, surely there is a better way to live?? Surely something isn’t right here…

Let’s take a time out.

Have a think about what you would rather be doing right now and also long term. What do you want to be remembered for? What is your talent and what are you brilliant at?

Isn’t that where most of your time should be spent?

The world of work is changing, and with COVID-19, causing many workers to work from home, people are starting to realise that there is another way.

We don’t need to commute to a busy office and sit for 8 hours to be productive. Or, work so hard to accomplish someone else’s dreams when we should be putting all that energy we have towards our own dreams.

Many of us can actually do the same amount of work in half of the time without the interruptions, office gossip and useless meetings we often get dragged into.

So perhaps that’s the first step. We need to start being paid fairly for the work we do and what we actually produce – not the hours we put in. Salaries rarely reflect the amount of value we bring to organisations.

That’s why freelancers and business owners often have much more freedom. Their rates reflect the work they actually do and the value they bring to their customers and clients.

Successful people work smart, not hard. They make sure they give a lot and gain a lot in return.

Perhaps it is time to have a conversation with your manager.

Figure out what you want – Less time in the office? More time to work from home? To be paid fairly for your output? Is there the possibility to go freelance?

I know that might sound scary. Many of us cling to our jobs because it makes us feel secure. We hate to rock the boat or have uncomfortable conversations for fear of losing favour with those in charge.

But lets be honest – and again this is something that COVID-19 has taught us – there isn’t really any security apart from 2 places – the first, if you are a believer, is from God. The second is what you make for yourself.

Neither the Government nor companies can be relied upon to look after you when the economy takes a nose dive. If they could, unemployment and homelessness would not exist.

You have to create your own security and freedom.

The first step is to get out of the 9 to 5 rut, either by changing how you work or by negotiating a far better pay plan, like shares in the company or commission for the profits you are helping to create.

And of course, money isn’t everything, but its certainly necessary if you want a better future for yourself and your loved ones.

Time, however, is everything. And wasting it away, building someone else’s legacy, whilst gaining nothing in return is one of the biggest crimes we can commit with the time given to us.

So have a think. Are you working hard or smart? Are you being fairly paid for sacrificing your relationships, your health and possibly your future?

Can you work less and get paid more? YES YOU CAN!

Can you start a side business to increase your income? YES YOU CAN!

This week, make a note of how you spend your time each day.

When the week is finished, have a look through and next to each activity write down what you would have preferred to do instead.

Use this as a starting point or plan for how you want your future to look.

Then, step by step, you can start working towards it.

In the next article we will look at discipline and how we can discipline ourselves to take the actions required to achieve the lifestyle that we truly want – not what someone else has forced upon us.

Get ready to transform you life with your committed sister, Natalie.