I have been a hard worker since my childhood and my parents had trouble making me just sit and relax for a while. Idid not watch TV (I do not watch it these days either). I did not sleep in – I always woke up earlier than my parents anddid tons of stuff they actually should have done. I still spent most of the time playing with my peers and I thought it was not a waste of time.Even now that I have the schedules packed with never-ending tasks I believe that ‘me time’ and ‘time with friends’ are essential. However, I have never dropped my responsibilities just because I wanted to have fun. Yes, it happens once in a while – after all, I am a human being. Butthe point is, I do realize that hard work is still important. Hereis why I think a ‘work smarter, not harder’ approach does not work: 1. Taking long breaks decreased productivity When you are trying to plow through a long pile of work, taking short breaks is a must as it helps you clear your mind, improve your focus and give your tir