Stacy Yamaoka

Although it is counter-intuitive, working longer hours does not make you more productive. If you are reading this blog, you are motivated, hard-working and looking to succeed. But, when does working hard cross the line to over-worked?

There’s a difference between working hard and working smart. Working smart means getting the job done and having fun while doing it. It does not involve working long hours because it is expected, or giving up your lunch because of that upcoming deadline. Working smart means understanding yourself and maximizing your talents. Here are a few tips to help you along the way:

1)    Recognize your internal clock.

When are you most productive? For example, I get 80% of my work done between 7AM – 10AM. This means that on a daily basis, I go to bed early so that I can wake up and start my day early. There are a few benefits to this method:

A)    Quiet time with little interruption

B)    Getting ahead of the cue. Since most people do not start working until 1-2 hours later, you can send out your emails and wait for other people to respond.

2) Socialize

Being successful is not just about working hard, but about building a strong community within the workplace or with partners/vendors. When it comes to that next promotion/client, you want multiple people supporting your potential evaluation, not questioning who you are. Socializing is also a great way to build bonds with friends and colleagues making your day more enjoyable. By learning what is going on in their lives and at work, you might just discover a better way to do that task you hate!

3)    Take a Break. Take a vacation.

Do not work 10 hours straight. Do not work 365 days a year. It is fine to push the boundaries, but everyone needs a break sooner or later.

• Every 2 hours, Take a break. Stretch. Get outside and walk around the block. Talk to your co-workers.
• Take a vacation 2x/year. It could be a staycation where you do nothing all weekend, or a weekend away in Napa. Drop your responsibilities and relax. No work allowed!

4)    Find Your Inner Happiness.

Most importantly, find your inner happiness. People do business with people they like and trust. People are naturally attracted to pleasant people. Find whatever it is that excites you. The energy that you get from daily inspiration will transfer to the warmth that you bring to the office. It will make you better at your job, and more fun to be around.

These 4 tips to work smart instead of hard may seem counterintuitive because you are working “less”. But, by investing in yourself, you are investing in doing a better job and showing people the great job that you can do. Best of luck and happy working!

Looking for additional tips, here’s some that might be useful…

Working Hard is not Enough.

Working Smart versus Working Hard and the Comfort of Habit

Smile, you’re on camera

I attended a talk a few weeks back about Women’s Leadership and Influence in the business world. The talk was inspiring, but what hit me the most was reinforcement to the power of using video for your business.

The speaker, Selena Rezvani, recommended using video to record oneself and then watch the video to clearly see how others see you.

Videos don’t lie.

Video for the Business Owner

As business leaders, we want to portray a certain image to our peers. Yet, because we cannot see ourselves, we do not truly understand how we communicate with others. Recording ourselves gives us a truly objective view of our verbal and non-verbal communications.

Video for the Business

Now, let’s take that a step further. As a business owner, you may think you are doing a good job running your business, but how do you know for sure? Subordinates will not give you an objective view.

How do you paint a clear picture of how you are running the business?

Use video to take inventory of your business processes.

Video is not just a tool to educate others, but can be a valuable tool to educate and inform oneself. We understand the power it holds to persuade, to communicate, and to draw emotions out of others.

I challenge you – why don’t we turn that video on ourselves?

Take a step back. Record yourself. Record your daily business operations.

I’m sure you will uncover things that you did not see before.

Share the results with me and with others around you!



The Entrepreneur’s Journey

So you want to be an entrepreneur, right? That was my life dream.

It was my solution for “having it all”: a successful professional, personal and family life. These were my motivations. What are yours?

Like many entrepreneurs, I had major fears before taking the plunge. Having the entrepreneur’s dream, and making it a reality are two different beasts. There are many mental roadblocks that can inhibit you from taking the plunge.


I’m not sure about my idea. What if I fail?

Failure is what happens when you stop trying.

No idea is perfect. Ideas evolve much like people. They grow, change, and need to be nurtured to blossom.

Too many people think the idea is the key to entrepreneurial success. In reality, the idea is just the starting point. The challenges come with the journey that follows.

When I started Marry Me Live, I was a true “idea romantic.” I quickly realized that business success could not rely on the idea alone.

Execution and evolution is the key to business prosperity.

Although we are still true to the original mission (enabling everyone to attend the wedding regardless of geography), everything else about the business has evolved and changed in one way or another.

It is such a big risk. Is it worth giving up job security?

We all say we want to be an entrepreneur when times are bad.

The question you need to ask yourself is “Would I still be willing to give up my job when times are good?”

Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. There is risk. There are ups and downs. It takes a certain mindset to stay positive when things look bleak.

If the entrepreneurial drive is stronger than the benefits you receive at the best of times, it is time to re-evaluate your situation.

Look yourself in the mirror and determine if your current position is getting you closer to your entrepreneurial dream. If the answer is “no”, staying in your current situation is the “bigger” risk.

I’m scared. How do I get over my fear of “taking the leap”?

You are likely reading this article because you want to take the leap. You are halfway there.

You’ve done your research. If you have not done your research, start by talking to entrepreneurs. You will realize that they are not super humans, but everyday people like you and me. Those individuals took the leap because their passion for their business overtook their fear of failure.

Still not convinced?

Do something that scares you just a little bit everyday. Talk to that handsome stranger in the elevator, go skydiving, sing karaoke in a very crowded bar, whatever it is that gets you out of your comfort zone.

When you realize you are still alive and breathing, you may be closer to taking that leap after all.

I cannot afford to be an entrepreneur! How will I finance the business?

If you are passionate about being an entrepreneur, you will find creative ways to make it work. It could be a part-time job, friends and family investment, small business loan, or being a full-time employee/nights and weekend entrepreneur.

Keep in mind that you may not be able to afford your current lifestyle. Being an entrepreneur takes sacrifice. But, when you have the vision, the sacrifice is worth it.

These are a just a few of the many thoughts that I’m sure are swirling around in your head. After reading this, if you still think you want to be an entrepreneur, the best advice I can give you is to not over-think the process!

The biggest hurdle of all is keeping your fear of the unknown in check. The entrepreneur’s journey is risky, but it is that same risk that can make your dream a reality. You will never feel completely prepared, but that is what makes the journey so thrilling.

Once you realize this, taking the plunge is much easier than you think. So step back, relax and jump!

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