This is one of those topics that you’ll see a lot of books on with a lot of advice beating the subject to death but the problem I see is that people just don’t know how to do it. Everybody has a different perspective on how to “work smarter” but when you think about your business, think about your definition of “smarter”.

Is it time? The amount of energy you put in? I’m no physicist but time and energy are not the same thing so be sure to differentiate them.

Is it resources? Financial or other?

Become more comfortable and strategic about delegating tasks. For mastering this, I would highly recommend checking out the book E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. Anyone familiar with his work is surely agreeing with me right now. If you haven’t read it, do yourself (and your business) a favour and check it out.

Take a step back periodically. Question why you’re doing something and if there is a better way of doing it. Look at your mentors, observe your peers, talk to your advisors – is there a better way of doing things?

What I quite often hear from experienced business people is they will tell me they’ve been in business for over 30 years. What I want to know is whether that is 30 single years or is that 30 years of learning? If you spend 30 years in business doing the exact same thing then will have never truly evolved your business.If you spend that same 30 years learning, improving and tweaking your business then that is the key to working smarter.

What is your best tip for working smarter and not harder? Leave a message in the comments below.

About the Author  
Ken Davidson is a Chartered Accountant with BDO Canada LLP, with their Kelowna accounting firm. Ken specializes in helping Kelowna businesses that are in start-up mode, companies in Kelowna that are in their growth phase and are ready to take their revenues to the next level, and professionals to secure their financial future with solid investment advice. Ken is best known for his strategic planning advice that positions him as a trusted advisor above and beyond being a Kelowna accountant that gives typical tax planning advice. To contact Ken for a Strategic Business Review to learn how he may be able to help your Kelowna business, email him at kdavidson@bdo.ca.