Do you believe the harder you work the luckier you get? or is it a half-truth?

You've heard this quote before. 

"THE HARDER YOU WORK, THE LUCKIER YOU GET."

Do you believe it? 

I do, in part. 

Because it's only part of the truth.

Sure, if you want something in life, work hard for it. We all know that. The world is filled with successful people who have worked harder than those around them. Successful people are not simply lucky. They work hard. Don't believe the 4-hour-work-week shenanigans. Ask Tim Ferriss how many hours he really works per week. I bet you it's more than 4 - and even if his work-hours are lower than average, what hours did he work to get where he is today? He worked hard! 

Even though I agree with working hard, I also believe that a clear sign of business insanity is "EXPECTING SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT RESULTS BY SIMPLY WORKING HARDER ON THE SAME THINGS IN THE SAME WAY YOU HAVE DONE FOR YEARS."

No-one gets significantly different results by digging the same hole deeper. If the tasks, or marketing, or target groups or donors you are focusing on are not right, working harder on those things will not get better results. Sometimes we just need to dig a new hole in a new place. 

Successful people work hard, but they also know what to focus on and how to work smart. This is the other half of the truth. Know what to focus on and learn how to work smart.

I am sure this is not a revelation to you. We all know this. But knowing and doing can be the difference between those who are successful and those who are not.

Successful people work hard and smart on the things that make a difference. 

The half truth is to simply work hard. The full truth is to work hard and smart on the right things. 

What do you need to change in 2014?

1. Do you need to shift your focus a little? 
2. Do you need to find ways to work smarter? 

I know it's hard to do things differently when you're busy with the daily tasks of managing people and running a business. I am in the same boat, and it's hard. But I want things to be a little different this year, so I am committed to asking these two questions and trying a few new approaches. 

How about you?