Working Smart: 3 Unconventional Tips
Although the idea of working smarter rather than harder has existed for many decades, it was actually Allen F. Morgenstern, an industrial engineer, who first coined the phrase “work smarter not harder” back in 1930. Since then, this concept has gained immense popularity and relevance in various fields including business, education, and personal productivity. Today, you can find billions of books, articles, and blog posts dedicated solely to exploring and explaining the principles behind working smarter. For example, a simple Google search for the phrase “work smarter not harder” returns approximately 52,900,000 results in less than one secondโspecifically 0.96 secondsโwhich is a staggering fifty-two million nine hundred thousand hits. This incredible volume of information shows just how deeply ingrained and widely discussed this concept has become across the internet and beyond. However, this blog post is not intended to add to the overwhelming amount of generic advice available online. Instead, it aims to share three unconventional yet highly practical principles that I personally follow to truly work smarter, not just harder.
Be a โOne Master Dogโ
Sixteen years ago, I interned in a local church under the supervision of my Seminary. It was not clear however to whom I was accountable. Whether to seminary or the church. One day the Senior Pastor of that church learned I design websites and told me to design one for the church. I started the work without speaking with my immediate supervisor at the seminary. Long story short I messed up because I was overloaded with work and the Pastor talked about how I failed to deliver for the next 15 years until he died last year.
I later spoke about it with my supervisor at the seminary and he pointed out the mistake I made was being one dog with many masters. My point is always to see to it that you are a โOne Master Dogโ meaning that you donโt have many bosses but one. If someone who is not your boss wants you to do something or needs your help politely direct them to your immediate supervisor, manager, or whoever has the authority to tell you what to do. Too many cooks spoil the soup and too many bosses will spoil your work.
Write it Down Always
At around the same time I worked in the seminary one of my Mentors advised me to write down all the work I do on a particular day in a journal. It was one of the best pieces of advice I received ever, and I am advising you to do the same. Evaluating that list at the end of the day helps you figure out how well you have managed your time, recognize, and reorganize your priorities and hold yourself accountable as well. Above all, it will come in handy in case you want to request a salary increment or your boss wants to know what you are doing.
At the start, I used a manual approach with a journal. As time went by, I realized it was not the most efficient method and switched to many automated methods like software programmes made to serve that exact purpose. There are many software and apps out there that you can use to keep a record of the work you do but I recommend Jibble. Itโs cloud-based software meaning your records are accessible from anywhere in the world. It has apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS as well. They offer a free edition if you are worried about the cost.
Honour Your Sabbath
Simply put take a day off. As men, we are often driven by our passion to achieve. Itโs not wrong but overdoing it isnโt smart. Work six days a week as much as you can and set the day left as your sabbath and guard it with your life. My day off is Monday and I donโt even answer the phone or reply to texts because if I donโt honour my Sabbath myself how can I expect others to do so? Of course, there are occasional exceptions but working on your day off shouldnโt become a regular occurrence.
In addition to a sabbath or a day off I also take legit breaks while at work. As a desk jockey, I remain seated for many hours while at work. Breaks allow my mind and body to rest in addition to boosting my productivity. Among the other benefits are the opportunity to stretch my fatigued muscles, get comfort from prolonged positions and postures, and retain any information I learned in the previous hour or so. You can even consider a killer nap. Donโt feel guilty for taking a day off or breaks while at work. As Bob Goff says, rest is holy!
Wrap Up
Working smarterโnot harderโis the true key to unlocking greater productivity in both your personal and professional life. When you approach tasks intelligently and strategically, you not only get more done, but you also create space for innovation, fresh ideas, and deeper focus. This kind of intentional work allows you to conserve valuable energy, redirecting it toward what matters mostโyour health, your well-being, and most importantly, your family and loved ones. If you take a closer look at some of the most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders in the world, you’ll notice a common thread: they are not people who burn the candle at both ends. Rather, they are individuals who have mastered the art of working smarterโnot by doing more, but by doing better. At the end of the day, the truth remains: you should work to live, not live to work. That’s the mindset I hope these three principles I’ve shared with you will help cultivateโso you can thrive, not just survive.
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