Dear Reader: How can you work smarter, not harder?

Ah, it’s the old adage that less is actually more. Being busy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re productive; and there’s a price to pay for that, as it can negatively impact your physical health and mental health — not to mention leaving you feeling unfilled and unsatisfied at work because the core work that really matters isn’t getting done.

Exacerbated by our hustle culture, and as outlined in a Workhuman blog post, workers may have “production anxiety” — the feeling that regardless of what you accomplish or how much you work, it’s never enough. You don’t feel like you’re doing enough or that you’re good enough. From countless deadlines to a never-ending in-box, it may feel like you never catch up even though it feels like you’re working hard.

According to David Finkel, coauthor of “Scale: Seven Proven Principles to Grow Your Business and Get Your Life Back,” a group of CEOs he coached spent approximately eight to 12 hours each week engaging with emails. Instead of expanding their businesses, they managed their inboxes. They were busy, but not necessarily productive.

In our culture that glorifies hustling and working 24/7, especially online, the paradox is we can actually become more disconnected.

“Productivity isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what actually moves the needle. Taking aligned action,” said Diana Pagano, performance expert and author of “The More Mindset: Break Mental Limits and Step into Extraordinary Results.”

“When your mindset, beliefs and actions are aligned, effort multiplies. You’re not forcing results — you’re building momentum. Hard work still matters, but it’s guided by clarity, intention, and purpose. That’s when you stop forcing outcomes and start creating real momentum.”

Instead of chasing more titles or accolades in your career, Pagano said it’s more about becoming “more of who you were meant to become. When you understand your why, everything changes. Without clarity or purpose, you’re often chasing things that offer temporary gratification, but don’t sustain real fulfillment.” This can also lead to exhaustion and burnout with depleted energy, distracting you from your goals.

Pagano advised defining what “more” actually means to you. “What people should do instead is define what “more” actually means to them. When you’re clear on your values and the impact you want to make, your decisions gain a compass — guiding what to say yes to and, just as importantly, what to say no to,” said Pagano. “You begin choosing opportunities that align, not ones that simply feel good in the moment. That’s how careers truly accelerate — not by chasing everything, but by committing to what aligns so you can become more.”

This involves saying no to more things. “Instead of chasing what’s loud or urgent, you create space to choose what actually aligns with where you’re going. That focus multiplies over time,” said Pagano.

Tribune News Service