Is Working Hard in Business Enough to be Successful?

The Sportsman’s Mentality Could be Your Downfall…

The above picture is from the JP Morgan Asset Management Rugby Sevens in 2013.

Rugby sevens is without a doubt one of the toughest forms of the game, and to play sevens at the top level you have to work extremely hard every minute of every game. Rugby players who reach the top endeavour to do so every time they go out on the pitch.

And this mentality to work hard is a trait that ex and current sports people carry over into the world of business. However, does this hard work mentality mean that people have a tendency to work hard but not smart?

From a young age, playing elite sport, you are always told to work hard and you can achieve your goals…

I heard a Mo Farah interview on BBC radio one following the Rio Olympic Games and he was answering callers questions.

One of the questions from a caller was “Mo, could I still make it to the top level if I took up running now at the age of 26?”

Mo answered and said… “Just pick a sport that you like – work hard and you could become a champion.”

I was sitting in my car and couldn’t help thinking… But Mo, does that theory actually work? Does hard work alone actually cut it within the world of sport and/or business. And the reality is… probably not.

Working smart is completely different to just working hard. You could work a half day at work and achieve everything you need to and more, than slogging out a full day not concentrating on the right tasks that will actually deliver you more business. You could work as hard as you like in the gym and become the strongest player out on the rugby pitch, but your skills will eventually let you down.

Look at a rugby player like Jason Leonard (fantastic world class prop – world cup winner and English rugby legend) – was he the hardest worker on the pitch – probably not, but did he work smart and dominate a scrum time, yes.

In rugby you could, like the picture above, work your nuts off to get to your goal, a tackle situation, and then miss it due to poor technique! In business, you could work extremely hard to put together a proposal, get to your goal of completing it and sending it to a potential client, and then miss the sale due to concentrating on the wrong elements of the proposition!

That’s why it is so important to not only work hard (as a sportsman would), but to focus on the key areas that will achieve your goals, taking the time to realise what will ultimately get you the best return from the activity you are doing and deliver you more business.

Did I work smart and make the tackle above? You can decide!

Ali Chisholm – SNAP