Stop Doing Things the Hard Way

Maybe you have the wrong perspective. You were taught to work hard; success comes from hard work. From an early age, we've been surrounded by mantras like

“Success is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”

“Dreams don’t work unless you do.”

“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.”

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”

But in today’s world—one transforming at lightning speed with new technology—maybe it’s time to question whether this belief still holds true. If working hard alone guaranteed success, then the path to achievement would be as simple as digging holes in your backyard all day, because, after all, that’s certainly hard work. Yet we all know the equation isn’t that simple, and the old formulas may be leading us astray.

The Hidden Costs of Doing It the Hard Way

Doing things the hard way comes with hidden costs that often go unnoticed until they begin to erode both productivity and well-being. Time is lost on repetitive, low-value tasks that could easily be automated or streamlined, while mental fatigue grows from constant context switching and managing manual processes. This relentless grind not only saps energy and creativity, leading to missed opportunities for strategic thinking and problem-solving, but it also results in burnout—the dangerous illusion that busywork equals productivity. In organizations, these inefficiencies add up quickly: companies can lose up to 25-30% of their potential due to wasted labor and poor workflow management, while individuals face increasing stress, disengagement, and diminished capacity for innovation.

Enter the Tools: Technology That Does the Heavy Lifting

• AI Assistants (for summarizing, drafting, and organizing ideas): Adopted AI writing assistants, which replaced time-consuming manual note-taking and first drafts.

• Workflow Automation: Implemented tools like Laserfiche Workflow, Zapier and Make.com to connect apps and automate repetitive tasks, reducing manual data entry and routine email forwarding.

• Document Management Systems: Transitioned to platforms such as Laserfiche ECM, which replaced fragmented, unsearchable local folders and paper-based filing systems.

• Document Processing AI: Using products like Hemingway AI OCR Data Capture, or Hemingway AI Invoice Capture for intelligent document processing that greatly reduces manual data entry.

• Business Intelligence: Products such as Power BI can be a game-changer for a businessperson — whether you're a manager, executive, analyst, or entrepreneur — because it turns raw data into clear, actionable insights that help you make better decisions, faster.

The Benefits of Working Smarter

When you stop doing things the hard way, you start unlocking real advantages—both personally and professionally. By working smarter, you reclaim valuable time that can be redirected toward strategic planning, creative thinking, or other high-impact activities that actually move the needle. Automation and smarter workflows reduce human error, ensuring more consistent, reliable outcomes. You’ll also find yourself feeling less overwhelmed and more in control, as the chaos of manual tasks and disorganization gives way to clarity and focus. Finally, streamlined systems enable better collaboration, making it easier for teams to share information, stay aligned, and get work done without bottlenecks.

First Steps Toward Working Smarter

Begin by conducting a quick audit of your daily tasks: identify which activities are repetitive or consume unnecessary amounts of time. Ask yourself what can be automated or streamlined. Start small: even modest automations, like setting up calendar reminders or implementing simple workflow triggers, can pay off quickly. Remember, the initial time invested to automate or reorganize routine processes yields substantial time savings every day thereafter, giving you more capacity for meaningful work.