Work Smarter, Not Harder

I remember watching a television program (probably on PBS) in which a group of researchers attempted to measure intelligence in dogs. They chose test subjects from three different breeds. I’ve forgotten the first two, but the third was a Dachshund.

The researchers positioned a wooden platform — about 8″ x 12″ and supported by stubby legs — a few feet in front of the dogs. A small treat was place, in full view of the test subjects, beneath the platform.

The first dog immediately retrieved the treat. The second dog sniffed around the wooden platform for a few seconds before acquiring the treat. The third dog, the doxen, simply sat there until someone removed the treat and gave it to her.

Next the research team hid the treat under a coffee can on top of the platform, again in full view of the dogs. The first dog immediately knocked over the can to retrieve the treat. The second dog sniffed around the platform for several seconds before a member of the team tipped the can. The weenie dog just sat there. Again, someone removed the treat and gave it to her.

The researchers come to the interesting conclusion that the Dachshund was the least intelligent of the dogs tested. I submit that she was the most intelligent. She received the same reward as the other two dogs, but with the least amount of work.

More than likely you’ve heard the old saying: “Work smarter, not harder.” It may be cliché, but it’s still true. Our goal should not be effectiveness alone but also efficiency. If we can get the same reward for less work, then why not do it? What are you doing where you could work smarter?