Have you ever been at a conference or sat through a speech/lecture or even in a meeting where people tell you that you need to work smarter, not harder? This is truly a crock. It really bothers me that some seem to believe there is a magic pill called smarts that will make all your pain go away and drive instant success. Some of you have heard me say it before, but smarts alone will not make your business grow and/or be profitable.

My team often hears me say, “let’s make magic.” Please let me clarify – I do not imply that magic pixie dust exists and can be sprinkled on every problem. I believe the secret to success is a formula that can be simplified into three buckets: Smarts, Hard Work, and Timing. The combination of which is my true definition of magic making and can be the difference between your business booming or stalling.

When I use “Smart” as part of my success formula, I do not mean book smarts or high IQ. I mean the ability to think ahead of the curve, using your brains and intuition (common sense) to make good business decisions. Hard work is more than hours at the office or physical and mental labor. It is doing whatever it takes to get the job done, breaking down barriers, going through road blocks, and solving complex issues. By utilizing Smarts and embracing Hard Work simultaneously, you have a far better chance of success versus the alternative. Smarts plus Hard Work is where one plus one can equal three for your business. Of course, your team has to be on board and fully engaged as well, living, eating and breathing this same formula. One person, unless you’re a sole proprietor, does not make a team and cannot singularly drive success.

If Smarts plus Hard Work equals three, adding Timing successfully to the Formula equals five. You can clearly do well by making intelligent business decisions and working passionately and diligently. However, Timing can be the key variable that drives exponential success. For example, if you were a baker and owned a bread wholesaler, and applied the right methods and worked diligently, you have bettered your odds of success. However, if demand for bread fell for some unforeseen reason and was out of your control, that would be bad timing. Timing is more than luck, as you can use your Smarts to read and try to project market, economic, social and other dynamics. However, sometimes Timing is beyond your control. When this occurs, you need to be nimble and willing to change. You have to reapply your Smarts, work even harder, and recalibrate the business to be ready for when the Timing is right. When Smarts, Hard Work and Timing happen together and are in sync, that’s a truly magical time for your business.