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Introduction – Why More Hours Don’t Equal More Success

In today’s hustle-driven culture, working longer hours is often mistaken for working better. Yet the world’s top performers don’t win by doing more—they excel by doing less of the right things.

In Great at Work, Morten T. Hansen distills years of research into a practical framework that explains how the most effective professionals achieve exceptional results without burning out. Drawing from a study of over 5,000 managers and employees, Hansen uncovers seven key practices that help people focus their energy where it counts, deliver high-quality work, and maintain balance in their lives.

This isn’t another productivity book about to-do lists and time hacks—it’s a deep dive into evidence-based strategies for maximizing impact while minimizing wasted effort. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, team leader, or ambitious professional, Hansen’s findings will challenge the “more is better” mindset and replace it with a smarter, more sustainable path to success.

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Top 10 Lessons from Great at Work

1. Do Less, Then Obsess

Focus on a few key priorities and execute them exceptionally well. Spreading yourself too thin dilutes quality.

2. Redesign Your Work for Maximum Value

Reimagine tasks and processes to deliver greater results, not just more output. Innovate how you work, not just what you do.

3. Focus on Learning, Not Just Performance

The best professionals keep experimenting and refining their craft, even when they’re already good at it.

4. Master the Art of Saying No

Turning down low-value work is essential to preserving time and energy for high-impact projects.

5. Match Passion with Purpose

Passion alone can fade; purpose sustains motivation over the long term by connecting your work to a greater goal.

6. Work With Intensity, Then Rest Fully

Top performers avoid constant overdrive—they alternate periods of deep focus with true downtime.

7. Collaborate Selectively

Work with the right people at the right time. Not all collaboration adds value; too much can slow progress.

8. Challenge and Support Your Team

The best leaders push their teams to excel while also providing the resources and safety to take risks.

9. Measure Success by Outcomes, Not Hours

Impact matters more than the clock. Evaluate work based on results, not how long it took.

10. Keep Your Work Aligned With Your Strengths

Play to your strongest skills and seek roles or projects that allow you to operate at your peak.

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Why This Book Matters

Morten Hansen’s Great at Work offers a scientifically grounded, practical guide to working smarter. It challenges outdated productivity myths and replaces them with focused, high-value actions that produce real results.

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Final Takeaway

“Excellence comes not from doing more things—it comes from doing fewer things exceptionally well.”
Mastering this principle can transform not just your career, but your entire approach to life and work.