One of the reasons I like working independently and have done now for nearly 14 years is that I don't have to impress anyone with how hard I work. If I do work hard it's because I really have to to get a job done on time for a client or because I'm so enthusiastic about a project that I can't stop.
I remember reading a book about the meaning of competence some 30 years ago now. The book made the obvious but certainly not common-sense point that output is what people should be measured on, not input. If two people start work on Monday morning with the same task to complete and one finishes by lunchtime while the other is still labouring away on Friday evening, then the first person should have the option of taking the rest of the week off, or earning more by carrying out more tasks. Does this happen? Perhaps, but rarely.
Too many people are doing too much work because they feel it's expected of them. That's why they burn out so quickly and are looking to downsize to a little place in the country while still in their early 30s. With a clear and simple relationship between output and reward, they would have had the freedom to make choices about how much they work and when. That means recharging the batteries as and when necessary and trying to maintain as rich an out-of-work life as possible.
As Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson remind us in ReWork:
Not only is workaholism unnecessary, it’s stupid. Working more doesn’t mean you care more or get more done. It just means you work more.
Great post. Two great TED talks on motivation and games (http://bit.ly/cWI2Kd and http://bit.ly/aKBxPO) strongly support your position. Personally, I like the idea of a more game-like (results-oriented) work environment: Warcraft players invest enormous effort in their game - because everything they do is carefully rewarded. Contrast the office worker - how about a user-rating for every email they answer? Progress bars? The technology exists, but organisations are still relying on an 'if they are in their seat, they are working' philosophy and encouraging a culture of 'presenteeism' as a consequence.
ReplyDeleteNice post Clive.
ReplyDeleteCan I add that if you work hard, you should also learn to play hard. It makes it all worthwhile.
Back tonight after two glorious weeks in California, mostly playing.
It makes all the hard work so much easier.
Neil
Good post. Bundled up in this is presenteeism, a particularly spooky form of workaholicism.
ReplyDeleteI don't get this play hard thing though - sounds bit too tiring to me.
Great post! The "work smarter not harder" concept applies to online education as well. Many critics believe that the convenience and flexibility of an online degree simply makes it too good to be true. The common misperception is that an online degree is easier to earn than a campus degree, therefore it cannot be legitimate.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is that the self discipline and time management skills required to earn an online degree can actually make an online degree more difficult to earn than a campus degree. Successful online graduates have learned that the efficiency and effectiveness of an online education does, in fact, allow them to "work smarter not harder".
I tend to agree with you Clive, but doesn't this take us back to piece-work, where you only got paid for what you produced?
ReplyDeleteThe question really is what value is put on the work that you are being asked to do?
Clive,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your conclusion that "working more means you work more." I have been on a roller coaster kind of job where I may have 1 task per day or maybe 15 tacks on another day. The ability to manage and allocate your time with the appropriate task makes a lot of differences in getting the job done. This would definitely help with the burnout syndrome.
Thanks and great post.