There’s a big idea in the work world that doesn’t get talked about enough: the hard work you put in doesn’t always line up directly with the value you create for others. This is something I’ve learned through my own experiences, and it’s a concept that could really change the way we think about our jobs.

We often believe that the more effort we put into something, the more we should get out of it. This idea seems logical but doesn’t always hold true, especially when it comes to successful projects. The best projects are often those that manage to separate the amount of work done from the value they provide.

Realizing this didn’t happen overnight for me. It came from experiencing the drawbacks of overworking — like health issues, strained relationships, and a too-narrow focus on work.

For instance, think about designing a website or planning a project. I might be able to get the job done well before the deadline, but I used to keep working, even helping my colleagues, thinking I needed to fill every hour I was paid for. This was based on the mistaken belief that not working every minute was wrong. However, what matters to companies is the result, not how much time you spend getting there.

It’s crucial to understand that the effort you put in and the value you create are two different things. As you get better at your job, you’ll find that many tasks become easier, which means they’ll take less effort. But if you judge your worth based on how hard you work, you might undervalue your services or feel like an impostor for not working “hard enough.”

The value clients get is not related to how much effort you put in. The goal should be to create as much value as possible, not just to work hard. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try your best; it means understanding that the real value of your work isn’t about how much time you spend on it.

Work Smarter, Not Harder. This whole idea suggests we need to change how we think about work. Success isn’t about how many hours you put in but about the impact of what you do. In today’s world, where being efficient and effective is key, aligning with this principle is vital.

As we go through our careers, let’s aim for innovation and efficiency, remembering that what truly measures our work is the value we bring, not the hours we log.