I often advise keeping your eyes on the process rather than keeping your eyes on the prize. In other words, focus on your effort, not the results you’re aiming for. Pour your energy into the work, and the results will usually take care of themselves.
But last week, Seth Godin reminded me that it’s not that simple:
“We expend effort.
We create value.
It’s easy to get confused about which one we’re going to ultimately be compensated for.”1
The world doesn’t care about how hard you work. It cares about what you make.
A line cook at a diner works just as hard as a 5-star chef, but the latter makes far more valuable food and is compensated accordingly. A 500-page book that nobody wants to read earns far less money than a 10-minute YouTube video that millions of people want to watch.
So it’s a good idea to regularly check in with yourself to make sure your efforts are producing something worthy of the energy you’re expending. You don’t want to wake up ten years from now and realize that you’ve been wasting your time.
Godin’s message reminded me of a question I once heard Tim Ferriss ask:
“Am I hunting antelope or field mice?”2
Both take effort. One produces value.
I was also reminded of Stephen Covey’s distinction between managers and leaders. Managers make sure the team is completing the project efficiently. Leaders make sure the team is working on the right project.3
In other words, don’t just strive to get better and faster at your tasks, devote some thought to which tasks ought to be done in the first place.
The distinction between effort and value is also a reminder to work smarter, not just harder. There are no extra points for doing it the hard way when an easier method is available, be it a power drill or AI. Find the best tools. Learn the best strategies. Be flexible.
Lastly, the emotional compensation you get from your work is proportional to how much you care about the work. You’re more energized when you know your work is creating value, when you feel like your work matters.
Your time is limited.
What efforts can you outsource or delegate?
What efforts can you simply abandon?
There’s no shame in changing your mind or changing course.
You’ll be more satisfied with your life, and you’ll earn greater rewards if you ruthlessly focus on the most valuable work you can do.
1Godin, Seth. “Effort and value.” May 14th, 2025.
2Ferriss, Tim. “Are You Hunting Antelope or Field Mice?” May 2, 2024.
3Covey, Stephen. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. Free Press, 2004.
Chris Loper has been writing about self-improvement and helping busy adults with habit formation since 2017.
He also writes an education blog for parents and students for Northwest Educational Services.
Along with Greg Smith, Chris is the cocreator of Parenting for Academic Success, a series of transformative classes that create empowered parents, confident students, and harmonious families.
His most recent endeavor combines his academic and habit-formation expertise to help students thrive in college. Visit SmartCollegeHabits.com to learn more.
In 2021, Chris published a humorous memoir titled Wood Floats and Other Brilliant Observations, a book that blends crazy stories with practical life lessons.
He lives in Issaquah, WA where he is the owner of South Cove Tutoring.