--- title: Hard Work, Smart Work, and the Right Work | The Sales Blog description: Productivity is measured by the outcomes you generate. That measurement is both qualitative and quantitive. Click here to read more. image: https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_721758364.jpg --- ### [Now booking SKO meetings for 2026/27! Learn more](https://www.thesalesblog.com/authority) [![Iannarino The Sales Blog](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/2021%20Website/Images/ai-logo-web.svg) ](https://www.thesalesblog.com) - WIN AT SALES - The Sales Environment - [ Sales is broken ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/sales-is-broken) - [ Modern sales ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/revenue-growth-blueprint) - Sales Resources - [ Blog ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog) - [ Podcast ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/the-anthony-iannarino-show) - [ Live Training Events ](https://events.thesalesblog.com) - [ Modern Sales Methodologies for Enterprises ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/modern-sales-metholodogies) [![View Events](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/b2e09c31-23bf-4ae9-b840-9ce632f62111.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/b2e09c31-23bf-4ae9-b840-9ce632f62111) ###### Live Training Events ### Upcoming training events & workshops [![Sales Accelerator Training](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/cda2541c-e77c-44de-9752-0a68716d50e9.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/cda2541c-e77c-44de-9752-0a68716d50e9) ###### Online Training Platform ### Sales Accelerator [![Revenue Growth Blueprint](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/b2913e6b-029b-4079-96bb-20e4ad251bc6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/b2913e6b-029b-4079-96bb-20e4ad251bc6) ###### #1 Resource ### Revenue Growth Blueprint - [ BLOG ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog) - [ SPEAKING ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/speaking) - SALES TRAINING - [ Sales Accelerator + Monthly Webinars Bundle ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/sales-training-events-bundle) - [ For Individual Reps ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/individuals) - [ For Teams ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/sales-accelerator) - [ Events & Other Programs ](https://events.thesalesblog.com) - [ Hire Anthony to Speak ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/speaking) - [ Modern Sales Methodologies for Enterprises ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/modern-sales-metholodogies) - [ EVENTS ](https://events.thesalesblog.com) - [ BOOKS ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/books) - [ ABOUT ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/anthony-iannarino) - [ CONTACT ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/contact) - Hit Sales Targets [![View Events](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/b2e09c31-23bf-4ae9-b840-9ce632f62111.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/b2e09c31-23bf-4ae9-b840-9ce632f62111) ###### LIVE TRAINING EVENTS ### Upcoming virtual training events & in-person workshops ###### Improve your win rates [![Speaking](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/2a02e2ae-517f-42dc-a8db-40ef42615279.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/2a02e2ae-517f-42dc-a8db-40ef42615279) ###### Keynotes & Workshops ### Hire Anthony to Speak @ Your Event # Hard Work, Smart Work, and the Right Work ![Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/ai-blog-profile-crop.jpg) Post by [Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/author/anthony-iannarino) May 3, 2019 [Productivity](http://thesalesblog.com/2019/03/11/the-ultimate-guide-to-productivity/) is measured not by crossing tasks off of a list. Productivity is measured by the outcomes you generate. That measurement is both qualitative and quantitive. ## Hard Work Many people [should be working a lot harder](http://thesalesblog.com/2012/12/01/want-success-work-harder/). If you are not doing enough work, with enough effort, and over a long enough time, you may not be producing the result you want because you aren’t doing the work necessary. You might be lazy, but you might also be lacking the discipline to block your time and avoid the distractions that prevent you from working hard. You may also not yet have decided on a [purpose or meaning](http://thesalesblog.com/2018/05/27/how-to-find-the-meaning-and-purpose-in-your-life/) that would drive your effort, something you should do now, right now, even if it changes over time. Most people could stand to work harder. ## Smart Work Other people believe the key to producing results is to work smarter. They spend their time trying to find ways to hack their work, to make it easier, to automate it, or to do things with less effort. A lot of [hackers](http://thesalesblog.com/2014/06/03/why-productivity-hacks-dont-work/) spend more time working on their hacks than they do on the work and only later discover that they would have been better off doing the work than spending infinitely more time on workarounds. While there is nothing wrong with trying to be efficient, it can’t come at the expense of your effectiveness, and you can’t allow yourself to become addicted to trying to hack your way to great results in endeavors that require you do the work. Most would do better by doing the right work instead of [trying to work smarter](https://saleshacker2.orjupiter.com/api/mailings/click/PMRGSZBCHIYTEMJTGUWCE5LSNQRDUITIOR2HA4Z2F4XXO53XFZZWC3DFONUGCY3LMVZC4Y3PNUXXO33SNMWXG3LBOJ2C6IRMEJXXEZZCHIRGEMLEMM2GIM3GFVSWCYTGFU2DOZRTFVRDQODFFVTDINRQMNSTIZRTGVTDEIRMEJ3GK4TTNFXW4IR2EI2CELBCONUWOIR2EJFG6Q3SJUZDAOK7IF4HMR32OZJDKRZWIZDECQSGGZCUWOCHHBGEMNTINZEEW2SSIVBTAMB5EJ6Q====). ## The Right Work If you want to be productive and reach your [goals](http://thesalesblog.com/2018/05/06/real-threat-goals-ambitions/), doing the right work is more important than how hard or smart you work. Some tasks show up in your world that have nothing whatsoever to do with your goals and initiatives, email being one of them, as is most of what shows up there. Even though you may have to complete some tasks that are not going to move the needle as it pertains to your goals, you cannot allow those things to crowd out the right work, the work that produces the results you want. The right work is that [small subset of tasks](http://thesalesblog.com/2019/04/16/put-your-most-important-outcome-first/) and projects that move you closer to your goals and outcomes. If you are going to work hard, put that effort against these few tasks. If you want to work smarter, make good decisions about what these tasks are, and give yourself a fighting chance by eliminating the interruptions and distractions that steal your time. ###### Tags: [Productivity](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/productivity) [2019](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/2019) Post by [Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/author/anthony-iannarino) on May 3, 2019 Written and edited by human brains and human hands. ![Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/ai-blog-profile-crop.jpg) Anthony Iannarino is an American writer. He has published daily at [thesalesblog.com](https://www.thesalesblog.com) for more than 14 years, amassing over 5,300 articles and making this platform a destination for salespeople and sales leaders. Anthony is also the author of four best-selling books documenting modern sales methodologies and a fifth book for sales leaders seeking revenue growth. His latest book for an even wider audience is titled, The Negativity Fast: Proven Techniques to Increase Positivity, Reduce Fear, and Boost Success. Anthony speaks to sales organizations worldwide, delivering cutting-edge sales strategies and tactics that work in this ever-evolving B2B landscape. He also provides workshops and seminars. Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn, X or Youtube. You can email Anthony at [iannarino@gmail.com](mailto:iannarino@gmail.com) [Follow me on my website](https://www.thesalesblog.com/anthony-iannarino) [Follow me on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/thesalesblog) [Follow me on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannarino/) [Follow me on Twitter ](http://www.twitter.com/iannarino) [![AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27.jpg?width=400&height=400&name=AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27.jpg)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/authority) [![ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1.jpg?width=318&height=179&name=ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1.jpg)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/free-cold-calling-video) ![maximize-productivity-ebook-v3-1-cover (2)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/maximize-productivity-ebook-v3-1-cover%20(2).jpg?width=768&height=994&name=maximize-productivity-ebook-v3-1-cover%20(2).jpg) ### Maximize Productivity Being productive means getting important things done. The big stuff. The stuff that moves you toward accomplishing your biggest, most important goals. [![DOWNLOAD EBOOK](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/faff89b7-a7a5-474e-9a53-68c41c02cd55.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/faff89b7-a7a5-474e-9a53-68c41c02cd55) ## Are You Ready To Solve Your Sales Challenges? ![Anthony-Solve-Sales](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Anthony-Solve-Sales.png?width=290&height=221&name=Anthony-Solve-Sales.png) Hi, I’m Anthony. I help sales teams make the changes needed to create more opportunities & crush their sales targets. What we’re doing right now **is working**, even in this challenging economy. **Would you like some help?** [![Solve for Sales](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/d3a4938b-2008-4a27-8b44-7b2223f6d035.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/d3a4938b-2008-4a27-8b44-7b2223f6d035) ### Join my Weekly Newsletter for Sales Tips Join 100,000+ sales professionals in my weekly newsletter and get my *Guide to Becoming a Sales Hustler* eBook for FREE! --- ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org/", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Anthony Iannarino" }, "dateModified" : "2021-06-15T6:16:42 PM", "datePublished" : "2019-05-03 17:44:02", "description" : "Productivity is measured by the outcomes you generate. That measurement is both qualitative and quantitive. Click here to read more.", "headline" : "Hard Work, Smart Work, and the Right Work", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 16, "url" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/2922376/Image/favicon.ico", "width" : 16 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/hard-work-smart-work-and-the-right-work", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "name" : "Hard Work, Smart Work, and the Right Work", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 24, "url" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/2922376/TSB/images/TSB%20Logo%20Dark.svg", "width" : 228 }, "name" : "The Sales Blog" } } ```