How To Be More Productive

Summary

The script emphasizes the importance of balancing 'working smarter' with 'working harder' for enhanced productivity. It discusses the idea that while efficiency is crucial, the physical effort of hard work should not be underestimated. The speaker shares personal experiences, including a carpentry project, to illustrate how developing a strong work ethic and learning from others can lead to personal and professional growth. The narrative is enriched with a poetic reference to Robert Frost's 'Two Tramps in Mud Time,' highlighting the joy and satisfaction derived from hard, physical labor.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The axiom 'work smarter, not harder' is appreciated but not entirely resonant with the speaker, as it seems to downplay the importance of hard work.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Developing a 'work hard' muscle is crucial; it's like an athletic event where you can improve with practice.
• 🛠️ Productivity is key, and it's about finding a balance between working hard and working smart.
• 📏 A ramp project is used as an example where both hard work and smart work are necessary for success.
• 💪 The enjoyment of hard work is highlighted, suggesting that finding joy in the task at hand can increase productivity.
• 📈 Tracking progress over time can motivate and indicate improvement in productivity.
• 📚 The speaker recalls Robert Frost's poem 'Two Tramps in Mud Time' to illustrate the joy found in hard work.
• 🛠️ Using the proper tools for the job is a fundamental aspect of working smarter.
• 🔄 Staying focused on one task at a time can lead to greater efficiency and productivity.
• 👥 Learning from others is essential for personal and professional growth in productivity.
• 🌞 The axiom 'work smarter, not harder' is revisited, with the conclusion that both aspects are necessary for maximum productivity.

Q & A

What is the speaker's perspective on the saying 'work smarter, not harder'?

The speaker appreciates the saying but feels it undervalues the importance of hard work, suggesting it implies that being smart can eliminate the need for hard work.

Why does the speaker believe that focusing too much on being smart can be counterproductive?

The speaker thinks that overemphasizing smart work can lead to inaction, as people might spend too much time discussing methods instead of actually working.

What does the speaker consider as the key to improving productivity?

The speaker believes that developing a 'work hard muscle' and understanding hard work as an athletic event that can be improved with practice is key to productivity.

How does the speaker relate physical work to athletic performance?

The speaker compares physical work to athletic performance by mentioning the development of muscles, improved timing, and the ability to work harder and more effectively.

What is the significance of the poem 'Two Tramps in Mud Time' in the context of the speaker's message?

The poem illustrates the joy and satisfaction the speaker finds in hard work, and how external influences can enhance one's appreciation for their task.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of using the proper tools and systems in work?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of using the right tools for the job and establishing systems to minimize wasted effort and maximize productivity.

How does the speaker suggest one can work smarter on a carpentry project?

The speaker suggests dividing work into specific tasks and focusing on one task at a time to avoid wasted effort and to develop muscle memory for increased productivity.

What role does repetition play in the speaker's approach to work?

Repetition allows the speaker to develop muscle memory and improve efficiency, leading to faster and more productive work as tasks are repeated.

Why does the speaker value learning from others in the context of work?

The speaker values learning from others because it allows for the acquisition of new tricks and techniques, which can enhance one's own work methods and productivity.

What is the speaker's final takeaway regarding the balance between working smarter and harder?

The speaker concludes that while the axiom 'work smarter, not harder' is useful, true productivity comes from a combination of working both smarter and harder.

How does the speaker feel about their own productivity over time?

The speaker acknowledges a decrease in productivity with age but still finds satisfaction in being productive and notices improvements over time.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Balancing Hard Work and Smart Work

The speaker begins by discussing the common adage of 'working smarter, not harder,' expressing a nuanced view that while they appreciate the sentiment, they feel it can undervalue the importance of hard work. They argue that focusing too much on being smart can lead to inaction, preferring instead the idea of working hard and efficiently. The speaker then uses the example of building a ramp, emphasizing that while it's not a complex task, it requires a balance of smart and hard work. They discuss the importance of developing a 'work hard' mindset, akin to athletic training, where one can improve their physical and mental capabilities to work more effectively. The speaker also touches on the idea of tracking one's productivity over time to measure improvement. They reference Robert Frost's poem 'Two Tramps in Mud Time' to illustrate the joy and satisfaction that can come from hard work, suggesting that there is a rhythm and coordination to labor that can be enjoyable and fulfilling.

05:00

🔍 Strategies for Working Smarter

In this paragraph, the speaker delves into the practical aspects of working smarter, advocating for a systematic approach to tasks. They suggest focusing on one task at a time to avoid the inefficiency of task-switching. The speaker uses the example of a carpentry project to illustrate how to work more effectively by grouping similar tasks together, such as moving all lumber at once or making multiple cuts consecutively. They emphasize the benefits of this method, including reduced tool usage, a cleaner workspace, and the development of muscle memory, which can lead to increased productivity. The speaker also shares their personal experience of implementing such systems to complete a ramp project efficiently, driven by the desire to finish before the weather changed and the need arose. They reflect on the joy of productivity and the satisfaction of completing tasks more quickly over time. The paragraph concludes with a nod to the importance of learning from others, suggesting that the most productive individuals are those who are open to learning new methods and techniques from their peers.

10:30

🌟 The Fusion of Smart and Hard Work

The final paragraph reflects on the speaker's 40 years of work experience and the observation that the most productive individuals are those who consistently strive to work both smarter and harder. They reiterate the importance of the axiom 'work smarter, not harder' but assert that to truly excel, one must also embrace the concept of working harder. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the need to continually seek ways to improve efficiency and productivity, suggesting that the combination of smart and hard work is essential for achieving the most within a day's work. They encapsulate the idea that productivity is not just about completing tasks but also about the ongoing pursuit of improvement and learning.

Keywords

💡Working smarter

The concept of 'working smarter' refers to the strategy of using intelligence and skill to complete tasks more efficiently or effectively. In the video, this is discussed as a contrast to 'working harder,' suggesting that one can achieve more with less effort by focusing on the quality of work rather than the quantity. The speaker illustrates this by emphasizing the importance of using the proper tools and systems to streamline work processes.

💡Working harder

'Working harder' is the idea of putting in more effort and physical labor to accomplish tasks. The video script challenges the notion that working smarter negates the need to work hard. The speaker argues that developing a 'work hard muscle' is essential and that hard work is akin to an athletic event where one can improve with practice, as seen in the speaker's personal experience of enjoying the physicality of work.

💡Productivity

Productivity is the measure of the efficiency of work and the output of useful results. The video's theme revolves around increasing productivity, with the speaker sharing personal insights and strategies for becoming more productive. This includes both the physical act of working hard and the strategic aspect of working smarter.

💡Ramp project

The 'ramp project' is a practical example used in the video to illustrate the concepts of working smarter and harder. It serves as a metaphor for any task that requires a combination of physical labor and strategic planning. The speaker discusses how they applied systems and hard work to complete the project efficiently.

💡Systems

In the context of the video, 'systems' refers to the organized methods or procedures one can use to accomplish tasks. The speaker discusses the importance of developing systems to work efficiently, such as dividing work into specific tasks and staying focused on one task at a time to minimize wasted effort.

💡Athletic event

The term 'athletic event' is used metaphorically in the video to describe the physical demands and discipline required in hard work. The speaker likens the development of physical strength and endurance in work to athletic training, suggesting that one can improve their 'work hard muscle' just as an athlete improves their performance.

💡Tolerances

Tolerances refer to the allowable amount of variation in a measurement. In the video, the speaker mentions that for a ramp project, the tolerances do not have to be terribly tight, indicating that precision can vary depending on the project. This highlights the balance between precision and efficiency in work.

💡Curb appeal

'Curb appeal' is mentioned in relation to the ramp project, referring to the exterior attractiveness of a property. The speaker had to ensure that the ramp not only functioned well but also enhanced the visual appeal of the house, showing the importance of aesthetics in certain work tasks.

💡Muscle memory

Muscle memory is the ability of the human body to learn and automatically repeat tasks. The video script discusses how repeating tasks can lead to the development of muscle memory, which in turn increases productivity and efficiency in work.

💡Wasted effort

Wasted effort is any work that does not contribute to the completion of a task. The speaker in the video emphasizes the importance of eliminating wasted effort to work smarter, suggesting that focusing on the necessary tasks and using the proper tools can lead to more efficient work.

💡Learning from others

The concept of 'learning from others' is highlighted as a key strategy for increasing productivity. The speaker advises to learn from everyone encountered, as each person can provide insights or techniques that can improve one's own work methods, thus combining the ideas of working smarter and harder.

Highlights

The axiom 'working smarter not harder' is appreciated but doesn't resonate fully as it seems to downplay the importance of hard work.

Productivity is key, and the video aims to explore how to become a more productive worker.

A ramp project is used as an example of a task that requires a balance of smart work and hard work.

Developing a 'work hard' muscle is compared to athletic improvement, suggesting that hard work can be honed like a skill.

The idea of enjoying hard work and treating it like a competition with oneself is introduced.

Tracking one's work output over time to measure productivity is suggested.

The poem 'Two Tramps in Mud Time' by Robert Frost is related to the experience of hard work.

The physical sensation of hard work is described poetically through the poem.

The joy of hard work is highlighted, even when it's not directly related to monetary gain.

The importance of using the proper tool for the job to work smarter is emphasized.

Wasted effort in tasks can be avoided by focusing on one task at a time.

Developing muscle memory through repetition of tasks can increase productivity.

The speaker's personal experience with a ramp project is shared to illustrate the application of working smarter.

Learning from others is presented as a key strategy for working smarter.

The axiom 'two of a trade never agree' is discussed to illustrate the importance of being open to learning from all perspectives.

The idea that working smarter and harder is a continuous process of improvement is concluded.

Transcripts

there's an axiom that everyone's heard

about working smarter not harder

now i get the point of this i like it

i

apply it

but it doesn't really resonate with me

because it sort of downplays the working

harder part

it sort of implies that if you're smart

you won't have to work so hard

it sort of holds up as an example of

being smart

not worrying about how hard you might

have to work but spend a great deal of

effort worrying about how smart you're

working

i think it's easy to get out of balance

on this i think it's easy to stand

around and talk about how to do

something better when if you simply put

your head down and went to work it would

be done and well done by the time the

discussion on the best possible method

was just beginning to slow up enough for

somebody to begin to pick up a tool

now i'm overstating that

but productivity is important and this

little video

is about how to become a more productive

worker

a ramp is not

a sophisticated carpentry project is it

a ramp is a deck that is inclined

the tolerances don't have to be terribly

tight although

and as much as on this one it's part of

the curb appeal of the house it had to

look pretty good

so i had to put together and utilize

some systems and i had to work

thankfully

once you've developed that work hard

muscle once you've developed that

connection with the labor

once you understand that

working hard is in fact an athletic

event

and you can improve your athleticism and

your muscles can respond more

effectively and with more strength and

your timing can get better as you try to

get stronger and make your timing better

a whole new aspect to hard work emerges

and that is

how can i work hard

and enjoy it

how can i think of

the work i'm doing as if i was in a

competition with myself

how can i keep track of how much work i

did yesterday or last week or a year ago

and know when i have beaten my

time my output how do i know i'm

becoming more productive

now i'm not a

really

literary guy i've read a lot i haven't

had time for that in a few years but i

used to enjoy reading robert frost he's

a poet from vermont i think

jackie kennedy was real fond of his work

and i remember we probably many of us

remember learning his iconic poem

the road not taken when we were in grade

school does that date me

probably

but anyway as i was thinking about being

a productive worker and what it takes to

really feel like you're earning your

check i thought of a poem of his and i

looked it up and sure enough there's a

couple stanzas that i want to apply to

this little deck project

and the athletic

experience of working hard it's called

two tramps in mud time and the setting

is a fellow's out in the yard splitting

some blocks of oak

and he likes it he's having a good time

and then two strangers come down the

road

and it changes the dynamic for him and

these two stanzas go like this

out of the mud two strangers came and

caught me splitting wood in the yard

and one of them put me off my aim by

hailing cheerily hit them hard

i knew pretty well why he dropped behind

and let the other go on away

i knew pretty well what he had in mind

he wanted to take my job for pay

the time when i most loved my task

these two must make me love it more

by coming with what they came to ask

you'd think i never had felt before the

weight of an axe head poised aloft the

grip on earth of outspread feet the life

of muscles rocking soft and smooth and

moist in vernal heat

if you've had the experience of working

hard you felt that

rocking of muscles

and of the coordination that grows and

the fatigue that

begins to set in but the determination

to keep working even though you're tired

there are times

i have to admit

when i've gone ahead and shoveled the

gravel off the trailer just because it

felt good to shovel

now

that's not a money making thing in every

case but it's nice to be able to do that

but let's not stray too far from working

smarter one of the key pieces of working

smarter especially on a little carpentry

project like this

is to use the proper tool for the job

try to eliminate wasted effort

incidentally wasted effort can lead to

an entire discussion about allowable

tolerances can it how much of a perfect

fit in a different in different jobs is

in fact wasted effort and how much of it

is vitally important but using the

proper materials and working conditions

and everything but

the item that really separates the

productive individual

is the system that the individual puts

in place to get the work done

one way to work smarter is to divide

your work into specific tasks

and then stay on one task as long as

possible instead of jumping back and

forth between related tasks when you're

moving lumber move all the lumber when

you're making cuts make as many cuts as

possible

if you can arrange it cut the pieces in

place instead of measuring and cutting

and putting them in place

when you're drilling holes drill

all the holes or at least all that you

can right now

hopefully you can see why this is so

much better

you can generally work with fewer tools

laid out means a cleaner workspace

you develop a little muscle memory as

you do a task 30 to 40 times

or three to four hundred times and then

the next time you get a chance to do

this task you will have the advantage of

having done it a lot

earlier and your body knows that action

and your productivity is gonna be

respectable from the first

moment you will almost always get faster

at the task as you repeat it

so repeat it

so i was trying to do this wait a minute

i guess i wasn't trying to do this i was

trying to get this ramp project built

i was trying to initiate a few systems

that would minimize how long i was going

to be out here doing it because i didn't

know how long the good weather was going

to last

and mom was going to need the ramp soon

so i was in a race with myself

and i'm not as productive as i once was

but i still enjoy working it feels good

to be productive

and it's really nice at the end of the

day to look back and say i can remember

when this would have taken me a little

longer i must be getting better

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do

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so

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if you are

concentrating on the work smarter piece

rather than the work harder piece

there is nothing that you can do that is

smarter

than learning from the people around you

now one of cs lewis's

quotations that has always

stuck in my mind as a warning

is

quote two of a trade never agree close

quote

so what that's saying is that two people

who spend their lot time their lives

doing the same type of work are never

going to agree that the other way other

guy's way or the other woman's

perspective or

the other

method is anywhere near as good as

theirs because that's the way i do it

therefore it's superior the smartest

thing we can do is decide before we ever

get to work in the morning that

everybody we meet that day is going to

have something that i can learn from

them if i want to learn it this axiom

has the bonus of being true in all cases

so the best thing you can do if you want

to become a more productive hand if you

want to experience the joy of getting

more work done in a day than anybody

thought was humanly possible

is make it a point to learn something

from everyone around you every day

pay attention to the way they handle

material pay attention to the way they

stage their work pay attention to the

way they put their boards in place and

you will add that to your repertoire of

tricks and techniques and after a while

not only will you be working harder

but you're going to be smart

and people are going to wonder wow

how did you learn all that stuff

and you won't feel like you have to

mention that it was all learned just by

keeping your eyes open

while you were earning your living

producing good work

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so as i think about 40 years

of work

and the people i've worked with

the people who've made the biggest

impression on me for their raw

productivity

and then i circle back around to this

axiom about working smarter not harder

i'm convinced that the axiom is good as

far as it goes

but to really become a top hand the

thing that must always be on your mind

is

how can i work smarter and smarter

and harder and harder

in order to get as much work done

as i possibly can

by the time the sun goes down

you