WORK SMARTER, LIVE RICHER : The True Meaning of Responsibility

By Dr. Abhishek Gilara

In the high-performance circles I find myself in today—where some of the most growth-oriented minds gather—a common declaration echoes time and again:“We work 16 to 17 hours a day without even looking at the clock.”

The moment this is said, the room often bursts into applause. In modern business culture, relentless hustle is a celebrated badge of honor. But I’ve begun to ask myself a more meaningful question:

Is this really the full picture of success?

There’s no doubt that hard work is noble. But does our responsibility end with our profession—the one that pays us?What about the other roles life has entrusted us with—our duty toward family, our responsibility for our health, and our contribution to the society that shaped us?

I must admit, I too once believed that only income-generating activities deserved my attention. But mentorship from some of the world’s greatest thinkers shifted my perspective. They taught me a powerful truth:Success is not just about what you earn—it’s about what you uphold.

True success lies in balance. It’s not about choosing between work and life—it’s about designing your day in such a way that every vital area of your existence gets its due share of time, energy, and attention.

Let me illustrate with a simple analogy.Imagine two car owners. One regularly services his vehicle, gives it time to cool down, checks the engine, and keeps it running in top shape.The other keeps driving endlessly—no rest, no checks, no maintenance.Who do you think will last the long road ahead?

The answer is obvious. So why do we glorify burnout but neglect the wisdom of balance?

Why do we celebrate the man who skips family dinners, ignores his health, and silences his soul—just because he’s logged more hours?

It’s time we shift that applause.

Celebrate the person who works smart, not just hard.Who honors his deadlines but also honors his health.Who leads meetings and still leads bedtime stories.Who achieves results while nurturing relationships.Who earns deeply, lives fully, and gives meaningfully.

Because that’s the man who not only succeeds today—but continues to inspire for a lifetime.