Which do you believe is more important: giving the impression of working hard, or the work actually getting done?

[SotiCoto]

It might seem obvious to some... but reality can be rather more complicated.
Personally speaking, I'm lazy. Incredibly lazy. I'm motivated by laziness, you could say. So when I'm given a task to do, I tend to find the most efficient way to do it and automate it wherever possible, so as to minimise the actual time / effort spent working. If I can just run a script and get all my work done automatically, that is perfect for me...
... BUT obviously anyone else looking at me would mostly just see me lazing about. I mean it isn't wrong. People don't tend to like that much. And the people who give the impression of being hard workers, even if they take 10x longer to do the same work than I do, seem to get ahead in life.

So... what is your take?

It is most important to show everyone what a hard worker you are!

As long as the job gets done, who cares about appearances?

[Simslover92]

What's the saying... work smarter not harder. As long as you're getting the job done efficiently, who cares about how much effort you're putting into it besides your boss of course. As long as they think you're working hard, it doesn't really matter if you actually are.

I remember being at USC and working on microfilm and I would give off the impression I was working hard until they looked away lol still would get the job done but I didn't kill myself doing it because we didn't have deadlines.

[SotiCoto]

Which side are you arguing for here? You started with one then immediately flipped to the other mid-sentence. I mean getting it done quickly and efficiently means they will NOT think you're working hard...

[Simslover92]

I'm saying give the impression you're working hard but in all actuality you're not just as long as you're still getting the job done.

[NordicInScandinavia]

The quality of the end results is what matters.

Nothing wrong with being innovative, in fact that is highly encouraged in my field, and is a part of the education sphere. In our studies we're required to be innovative out in practice.

[Lliam]

I always worked super efficiently and made sure my work was complete so that I could sneak off and screw around. As long as my work looked perfect, my boss was happy.

I once had a manager who said it didn't take him all day to do an 8 hour job, meaning, he didn't slave away for 8 hours. That's a good philosophy.

[Lliam]

Thanks for the MHO, SotiCoto.

[NathanDavis]

the other day I did pretend to pay my bills... but the banks didn't buy it

they said that I had to actually, pay the bills... not just pretend that I did... lol

[AI Opinion]

Focusing on results is generally more valuable than merely appearing to work hard. Efficiency and innovation can lead to excellent outcomes, and these should be highlighted in evaluations or discussions with supervisors. Demonstrating the impact of your efficient methods and the quality results achieved can alter perceptions. However, maintaining clear communication about your contributions and being visible in team settings can balance perceptions. It's crucial to find ways to share your achievements and how your approach adds value, ensuring your hard work’s impact is recognized.

[exitseven]

You have to make the boss think that you are working hard. He doesn't really know what is going on.

[Nikki1989]

The purpose of work is to achieve specific outcomes. Faking it is never a suitable option.

[jahaims]

Both work. I faked almost everything at my last few jobs and got praise/promotioms. On the side I worked hard and retired by 30.

[Flower7]

I feel that efficiency is best.