There’s a pattern I keep seeing.
There’s one thing behind almost everything I say.
And has been for my entire career.
It was my “quote” on my very first PT profile board at Fitness First Sheffield Millhouses 23 years ago.
“Work smarter, not harder”
I’m a big fan of hard work.
But if something isn’t happening, then trying even harder is rarely the answer.
Jamming our foot down on the accelerator while the brakes are still on doesn’t help.
Forcing ourselves to do things we hate, hoping it’ll pay off later.
A few variations on this I’ve heard over the years are “We’ll never create a life we love by doing sh*t we hate”.
And “There’s no happy ending to an unhappy journey”.
I’d much rather we work smarter.
Go for the version that we actually do and find somewhere between tolerable and enjoyable.
Knowing that’ll always beat the (arguably) 5% more effective version that we hate and don’t do.
50% done beats 100% planned every time.
Challenge our opinions, beliefs and habits that drive what we do and how we feel about things.
Release those proverbial brakes somewhat.
And, I’ll be honest, the “theoretically ideal” approach often isn’t all that either.
I’ve had plenty of people end up doing a much more effective approach that they also find much easier to do.
By working smarter.
Cutting out all your favourite foods and living like a monk until you can’t stand it any more is working harder.
Making some tactical changes to your food that you’re equally happy to make that add up to great results over time is working smarter.
Avoiding socialising is working harder.
Making some equally enjoyable damage limitation choices whilst socialising and averaging out elsewhere is working smarter.
Gruelling exercise you hate is working harder.
Fun, coach led Group PT Sessions with like minded people in an intimidation free atmosphere is working smarter.
Work smarter.
Much love,
Jon ‘The Work Smarter Guy’ Hall
P.S. When you’re ready to work smarter rather than just trying harder with an approach you really don’t like, then try my risk-free trial at www.myrise.co.uk/apply
