Redefine Hard Work To Include Hard Thinking

 I read a quote the other day by James Clear that made me really reflect. James Clear is the author of the bestselling book Atomic Habits - An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. 

He said, “We need to redefine ‘hard work’ to include ‘hard thinking’. The person who outsmarts you is out working you. The person who finds shortcuts is out working you. The person with a better strategy is out working you. Usually, the hardest work is thinking of a better way to do it.” 

As a high school teacher, I have always honoured the differences among students. Some people work quickly, some work more slowly. It doesn’t matter the pace, as long each person works hard to get a task completed. 

But in today’s competitive world, I wonder if that is true. Perhaps in my desire to honour the individual, I have missed a teachable moment.  

I have permitted students to “work hard”, but I haven’t always given them the habits of mind or strategy to help them “think hard.”   

Yes, we teach students to be critical thinkers, to objectively analyze and evaluate a text or issue so they can form their own opinions. But I know I haven’t given enough attention to teaching students how to objectively analyze and evaluate their own habits. 

With many best-selling books on this very topic, there is clearly an interest. Yet, we don’t spend enough time teaching students how to do this well from a young age. 

Of course, we teach students shortcuts and strategies related to our subject areas. There is also a not-that-popular high school course that teaches study habits.  

Yet, despite these good intentions, discovering life hacks that work for us - strategies or techniques adopted to manage one’s time and daily activities efficiently - is something that many of us learn the hard way, if at all.  

We also can’t deny the inherent value of “hard work” instilled in our culture. Putting in long hours at the office often shows great commitment to the job.   

But it doesn’t have to. 

By valuing “hard thinking” over “hard work” people still reach great outcomes, just more efficiently. Productivity increases, as does work-life balance. Little things can make the difference. 

Scheduling your visit to the gym at the same time each day makes this habit easier to do.  Or stacking a new gym habit after one you already do, like getting up and brushing your teeth or drinking coffee, takes away the energy of finding time. Having positive reinforcement, such as a gym buddy, further supports this successful habit.  

“Working hard” isn’t the solution. It shouldn’t even be a solution.  “Thinking hard” is the key. 

Tiny changes can have remarkable results.   

Building stronger habits, may be all we really need.