We all know that working very hard isn't the road to success. Sometimes you need some real talent, and a little luck. But if you're looking to get ahead professionally, you might want to avoid actually working hard.
A new study says that appearing to work hard might be the true ticket to success.
![](https://fooyoh.com/files/attach/images/591/435/889/014/workhard1.gif)
According to Erin Reid, a Harvard University School of Business professor and author of the study, employees who looked like they were working hard were just as successful as those who actually did work.
![](https://fooyoh.com/files/attach/images/591/435/889/014/workhard2.gif)
Which means, all that time running up and down for your boss was wasted.
![](https://fooyoh.com/files/attach/images/591/435/889/014/workhard3.gif)
It all boils down to perception:
Reid examined employees in a fast-paced company and found that the ones who appeared to be working hard were able to spend a lot of their time with their spouse or family, and were later promoted too.
Employees who attempted to or requested lighter loads were reprimanded through poor performance reviews.
![](https://fooyoh.com/files/attach/images/591/435/889/014/workhard4.gif)
The take back from this: just pretend to work hard. It'll pay off.
![](https://fooyoh.com/files/attach/images/591/435/889/014/workhard5.gif)