Scrolling down the facebook, checking for
the updates I came across a wonderful image. It showed hares running as fast as
they could and a tortoise rushing ahead riding on a wooden skateboard. Standing
confidently, hands in the pocket, sack on the back and wearing a charming
smile, tortoise exhibited winning posture. Hares on the other hand wore a
surprise and defeated look, outsmarted by the tortoise. The caption says, ‘Be
smart… no one cares for your efforts,
only results’. The catchy image speaks volumes about being smart. I instantly
recalled the workshops on group discussion and personal interview. In the PI
session we used to throw a question at all the participants, “Hard work or
smart work, which one will you prefer?” Instant, vociferous response, in
consonance always put the stamp of approval in favour of smart work. No takers
for hard work, all for smart work.
The answer goes along the expected
lines. In fact I ask the question to check if there is anyone for the hard work
but usually all go for smart work. If at all there is one for hard work under
the bludgeoning majority voice it fails to find courage to mark its presence. My
observation is those who prefer smart work have no idea as what the smart work
is but carry the conviction that smart work takes you to success faster. It is
a proven key to success. In the subconscious mind there lies an element of fear
that hard work may even not lead to success. But smart work always does. It is a
belief hardened over the years from the true/untrue examples heard from many
sources. Smart work is an express way, hard work is a narrow tough road, they
think.
When I ask them to explain the smart
work they struggle to define or provide example. Their notion of smart work
originate from the much coveted short cut to success which in fact is unreal.
There is no such short cut but truth is that we all covet it. A good example of
self deception. When majority asserts in favour of smart work in the workshop I
stand for hard work. I give them example of breaking the rock to make small
pieces often used for construction. Crushing the rock to small pieces using the
sledge hammer is a good example of sheer hard work. The gravel thus produced is
a necessary material for construction; a successful but mundane work. When a
sculptor hews the magnificent sculpture out of a rock it carries glamour. It is
also an example of sheer hard work but has something more than that. That
something makes it difficult, challenging to become a sculptor.
That something is the skills. Add to it
imagination and ability to express through the shape carved out of stone you
get a masterpiece. For me this is smart work. The results are lasting,
beautiful; the success is enlightening, full of glamour and fame. This smart
work is extremely difficult to pursue. It is different from the short cut to
success which in reality is manipulations. It never leads to enlightening
success. It leads to an ephemeral success exposing only to ever growing greed
which emerges from missing contentment. Carving the imagination out of a rock
and liberating the expression stuck in inner reaches of mind is not simple. It
is not a one day affair. It can take days of intellectual toil to create the
masterpiece inside and days to take it out. A sheer hard work requiring tremendous
skill. The result is a smart work. It is enduring. There never is a guarantee
of success. It actually depends upon how we define it. The result of such smart
work is always self satisfying.
The image plus the caption is
impressively catchy but it tends to mislead. It creates an impression, though
false, that there is something called smart work a substitute to hard work. A
closer observation reveals that the tortoise is riding on a wooden skateboard.
A skill extremely difficult for tortoise to acquire. Once done it is poised to
challenge the running hares that otherwise can always easily move past
tortoise. To match the natural gift of the hare tortoise has to acquire the skills
through hard work. It outsmarts hares only after working hard. It also provides
an important lesson, before you compete know your strengths and limitations,
work hard to master the requisite skills. This is smart work, it is not
imaginary, counterproductive short cut. And yes it is harder than hard work but
it’s a way to success and peace of mind.
Rest assured results depend upon
efforts.
