Why “Work Smart, Not Hard” Is Wrong (with Mike Rowe)

I worked with a retired teacher. He told me “education is a great thing but it doesn’t hurt to know how to weld”.

Rule #1. Don't ever take advice from somebody who ended up being a high school guidance counselor.

I was always told Work Smarter Not Harder. Which I was told meant that when your working hard, be smarter about the work your doing. Be efficient in your work.

I went to college for four years. At 50 years old, I am a painter, a roofer, a plumber, a mechanic, a husband and a father. I never should have gone to school without a solid plan.

We had a critical part break. This part is no longer available. The computer tappers were at a complete loss. My coworker, looked at it and fabricated a replacement from scratch in one day and returned the equipment to service. This person, no vocational school, no degree. Just a smart and talented individual.

It never ceases to amaze me how words can be misconstrued to fit an agenda. The origin of 'Work smarter, not harder ' refers to utilizing the full scope of tools available to you (both intellectual tools and physical tools) to achieve a goal while doing so with the least amout of stress.

"We need more philosophers who can run an even bead." That's a beautiful statement, Mike!

35yrs ago dropped outta college stumbled into being a mechanic. Working for a county bus company for 27yrs at top pay, making 6 figures with bennies & pension. Working on cutting edge tech daily. I am blessed

Mike Rowe is beautifully eloquent and clear in his message.

25 years old male here. Never went to trade school, never went to college. Got a blue collar job clearing $110,000 a year starting off with no experience or certifications nor did a “buddy” help me get the job. I travel the entire country & everyday at work is an adventure. It comes at a cost though. I work 70+ hour a week & the work is laborious, but I love every moment & I am so proud. I have no bills & save every dollar. Yes, to be successful you have to do things you don’t want to. Not everything is about you, your comfort, or your rights. You have to sacrifice.

Working smart usually means working efficiently. The title is misleading but the message is right on the money.

Yes. It's "Work smart AND hard".

Military, hvac school, became a utility worker. Zero debt & been making over 200k for the passed 10 years. Zero debt. My wife a lawyer with loads of debt and does not make what I make. I love my career and plan to retire at 55 to manage my properties. My friends with degrees are in/out of work, some still live at home bc of debt.

I went to community college for 2 years took the diesel technology program and I'm 30 years old now making 75k a year and love my job, and soon I'll be making 100k a year. No student loan debt, love my job, and I work smarter not harder as a diesel technician, diagnosing and repairing heavy duty trucks

From a 6 figure turf guy Practice a skill and meet people, what you know combined with who you know is amazing.

I never realized what a great radio voice Mike has.

I worked hard for 25 years, from the age of 13. Bad knees and a bad back FORCED me to work smart. I make more now than I ever did digging ditches in November. Work smart lads. Don't cripple yourselves for a job that won't afford you a place to live, or a family.

When I was 12, I helped my uncle dig ditches in the summer (he was a plumber). I'll never forget what he said to me "Make your living with this (points to head), not this (points to back)" He was right, and I am grateful I have been able to make a career in IT.

I worked at a gas & electric utility. One day I was on a ride along with a gas serviceman. We were sent to a guy's house who had a gas leak. He was messing with his gas lamp that had gone out. The serviceman was belittling the customer because he was fixing the light and the customer couldn't . The house was very nice and obviously the customer was well off. Finally the serviceman smugly asked "How are you going to fix something if you don't know how?!!!" By now the customer was tired of the belittling and replied "I'll hire someone like you!" Being a skilled tradesman doesn’t always make you the smartest guy in the room.

Attending a junior college right after high school was the best decision I ever made. I got to take so many different courses in different areas. In 2001, each class was a whopping $33. My first semester was a little over $150 plus books. I ended up going into law enforcement and not having any debt after trying out different paths.