Work Smarter not Harder

This particular blog is the newest to the Steve L. Vail site. My plan is to write and provide articles that will assist its readers in the area of working smarter, not harder. I realize that working harder sometimes is just simply unavoidable. However, it is not about those instances that I am making reference. Rather, I am referring to those times when the degree of increased effort does not yield the same degree of increased output or accomplishment. I think we've all been there on multiple occasions. It's at these time we need to step back and re-evaluate our actions. I have found that asking myself the following questions to be quite helpful:

• Have I set reasonable time hacks?
• What, if any, attitude adjustments do I need to make?
• Am I attempting to re-create the wheel?
• Has this task or one similar to it been attempted before?
• What additional tools do I need?
• What modifications to my tools and plans need to be made?

Allocation of time

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could meet every time hack we prescribe to ourselves to accomplish our tasks and goals? I can't speak for everyone but as for myself, this is indeed quite the rarity. The problem is that when attempting something new, (new to us), we are frequently navigating through unknown territory. Consequently, adjustments to the time we've allocated are unavoidable. It is imperative that when we don't meet any of our prescribed time hacks that we remain calm and flexible, as well as resolute and patient.

Attitude

I have found that when I become angry and/or exasperated, that it may be to the benefit of the project as well as everyone around me, that I just STOP. If you're anything like me, it may require a second party to get you to see the reality of such an episode. When one thing after another seems to be going wrong, it's easy for me to become, first obsessed with the idea of forcing things to work out correctly, and second irate when my efforts continue to fail. It's at such a time as this that I inadvertently break things and the whole project begins to regress rather than progress.

I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it.
- Charles R. Swindol -

Research and Learn

Modification to the wheel is by far more advantageous than re-creating it. Back only a few decades ago researching and discovering everything you can that may assist you with your task required finding and/or purchasing applicable books, articles, and magazines. These days however, we are in what has been dubbed as the information age. With access to the internet we can easily find online articles and videos that can provide a wealth of knowledge and assistance. Even if what you are attempting to accomplish has never been done before, someone else has probably at least attempted it before you. Look at what they did and the tools they used. With a few modifications and innovations along with a can-do determination, success is right around the next corner.