book.chapter Diligent work ethics

If you're brutally honest with yourself, you likely realize that only a small fraction of your workday is spent on tasks directly related to what you're paid to do. The rest? Often wasted. It's time to stop deceiving yourself and adopt practical ways to work more efficiently, intelligently, and diligently. Focus on outcomes, not just tasks. Astonishingly, many view their workplace from a social standpoint, a total misuse of time and energy. You're employed to be productive and deliver results. If your contribution doesn't exceed your cost, the company will eventually take corrective action. Your focus should be on contributing to the net profit of your organization. How did we get here? Many strive to work just hard enough to avoid being fired, while companies aim to satisfy investors with minimal effort. Some employees prioritize appearing busy over tackling productive tasks. Few ever pause to identify and address their top priorities first. Organizations often reward the appearance of busyness rather than actual achievement. People aren't taught how to be effective workers, and managers tolerate poor performance. Expectations are kept low, making it easy for employees to choose the path of least resistance. Yet, success in business is profoundly simple. It's not easy, or success would be more common, but it's straightforward. Success doesn't need to be complicated. If it feels complex, reassess. Often, there's a simple way to improve. This principle applies to personal life as well. The keys to success are familiar: Take personal responsibility, be flexible, work smart and hard, be kind, stay optimistic, set audacious goals, keep learning, excel in your field, trust your instincts, take action, earn and save, give back, and enjoy what you have. Keep it simple. There are no new secrets to success. The key is to actually do what you've been told all your life. Thomas Edison noted that opportunity is often missed because it looks like work. Bill Maher emphasized the importance of being right and truthful over being nice and sensitive. Larry Winget advises keeping it simple and focusing on what truly moves you closer to your goals. He suggests replacing traditional to-do lists with lists of things that must get done, emphasizing action over planning. Success, in essence, is about doing the right things, simply and effectively.