Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Work Smarter Not Harder summary
Find more productivity by doing fewer things.
14 mins
Brief summary
Work Smarter, Not Harder by The Blinkist Team is a guide that outlines practical techniques to increase productivity and achieve better results by focusing on effectiveness rather than excessive effort.
Topics
Table of Contents
Work Smarter Not Harder
Summary of 6 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 6
Problem and Promise
It’s easy to make the calculation that if you want more from your work, you should work more.
But, while this simple equation certainly works early on, there comes a point of diminishing returns. In this Blinkist Article we’re going to explore a few ideas for how to change that equation and help you work smarter, not harder.
Before we dive in, let me clarify what we’re doing here. We've pulled the choice bits from 5 of our top sources to highlight some evergreen truths, and bust a couple of myths around the topic of productivity. Our goal? To quickly get you the key ideas to help you get on the path to working smarter. Each brings a different perspective, which we’ve grouped into three focus areas: prioritization, nurturing productivity, and environment.
TL;DR
Here’s the Article in a nutshell
Productivity is not on a 1-to-1 input/output scale with work. It’s the fruit of a lot of different inputs that have to be nurtured in order to reap the benefits. Of course, you can squeeze some extra productivity out by working longer hours. But, eventually, your ability to be productive will be diminished.
So, the bottom line: First – we are not machines, we are organisms. This means we don’t increase productivity simply by working longer. Rather, we do so by nurturing the right inputs in a conducive environment.
Second – focus. Trying to do everything is a sure fire way to actually do nothing. So do less and do it well.
Want to see all full key ideas from Work Smarter Not Harder?
Key ideas in Work Smarter Not Harder
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Work Smarter Not Harder about?
Working more doesn't always equate to increased productivity; instead, nurturing the right inputs in a conducive environment, and focusing on doing fewer things excellently, yields better results. This article uncovers the key strategies and insights for achieving smarter, not harder, work habits.
Work Smarter Not Harder Review
Work Smarter Not Harder delivers essential strategies for optimizing productivity and efficiency in the workplace. Here's why this book is a valuable read:
- Provides practical techniques that help streamline tasks and maximize output, resulting in improved performance and less burnout.
- Empowers readers with strategic approaches to prioritize tasks effectively and achieve their goals with greater ease and effectiveness.
- By offering innovative solutions to common workplace challenges, the book ensures an engaging and insightful read, far from dullness.
Who should read Work Smarter Not Harder?
- Anyone who want to work more effectively
- People who feel busy but not productive
- Anyone who wants to know how to harness the power of their environment
Categories with Work Smarter Not Harder
Book summaries like Work Smarter Not Harder
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Work Smarter Not Harder FAQs
What is the main message of Work Smarter Not Harder?
The main message of Work Smarter Not Harder is optimizing productivity and efficiency in work and life.
How long does it take to read Work Smarter Not Harder?
Reading Work Smarter Not Harder takes a few hours, but the Blinkist summary can be read in about 15 minutes.
Is Work Smarter Not Harder a good book? Is it worth reading?
Work Smarter Not Harder is a must-read for practical tips on enhancing productivity. It offers actionable advice for efficient work habits.
Who is the author of Work Smarter Not Harder?
The author of Work Smarter Not Harder is not specified in the provided data.
What to read after Work Smarter Not Harder?
If you're wondering what to read next after Work Smarter Not Harder, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
- Breaking the Cycle by George N. Collins with Andrew Adleman
- Mastery by George Leonard
- Focal Point by Brian Tracy
- Simple Truths of Leadership Playbook by Ken Blanchard & Randy Conley
- Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
- The Art of Reading Minds by Henrik Fexeus
- Mindset by Carol Dweck
- The Best Place to Work by Ron Friedman
- The Open Society and Its Enemies by Karl R. Popper