An idea which has always been a bit lost on me is the expression or admonition to "work smarter, not harder."  Now I know intellectually what is meant, however, I cannot wrap my head around why there is necessarily a dichotomy.   I have long thought that if only I could work both SMARTER and HARDER, then it would only serve to be all more advantageous no matter the endeavor. And in many ways this seems to have been the case (and in others it was my sanity and that of those around me to pay!).  Certainly being strategic about one's efforts, in addition to being diligent, can really have a…