🚀 When Hard Work Stops Working
How Ancient Wisdom & Psychology Can Help You Work Smarter and Get Rid of Workaholism and Toxic Productivity—Based on Who You Are—Not a One-sized Approach to Work.
This is a continuation from last week → Read Part 1 here!
I used to believe success came from working harder than everyone else.
It’s how I was raised. I immigrated to Canada at 10, watching my Soviet-engineer grandparents rebuild our lives from scratch.
They taught me the value of effort, sacrifice, and discipline.
At 15, I made a vow to be self-sufficient.
By 20, I’d built my first business. Growing it to $1M a year…
By 30, I was working at Meta, living my then “dream”.
But beneath the wins were cracks I couldn’t ignore: ADHD, burnout, anxiety, emotional exhaustion.
I tried every productivity tool. Every system.
Nothing worked—until I started working on my Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine…
Until I stopped trying to be a machine and started asking:
What if my energy, rhythm, and work style were already wired inside of me? What is only — I listened and adjusted….
I ready every book on the psychology of work, and our modern personality testing systems.
I turned to ancient systems even more—Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Human Design—but to go deeper than what modern productivity offers. These frameworks didn’t give me shortcuts. They gave me clarity. A mirror. A map for my own rhythm.
So here’s what I want to share with you:
If you’re tired of burning out, start working with your nature—not against it.
Let’s begin.
Personality Tests & Eastern Systems to Help You Work “Smarter”
We’re taught to hustle like we’re machines — do everything exactly the same way.
To wake up at 5am, build five streams of income, and meditate like a monk—before 9am.
But what if working smarter wasn’t just about the 80/20 rule? Or doing more with less?
What if it meant listening to your nature?
And building a system that is unique to you.
In Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine, we’re each born with a unique constitution—an energetic rhythm.
If you follow my writing, and coaching I’m on a mission to combine Western research and psychology with Eastern systems, philosophies and medicines.
I think both can really show us our patterns…and help us move forward in any question in life — like how do I work smarter, not harder?
So take these test:
Learn your TCM 5 Element type
Learn your Ayurvedic Dosha
Find out your Human Design
Find out your Ennegram Type
DON’T rely on just ONE system → see what you get across all of them and bring all of the opinions, findings and patterns together to check yourself and grow.
What “Working Smarter” Really Means—For Your Dosha in Ayurveda
First, I studied Ayurveda so I can learn to eat properly — it’s just one system you can apply to your nutrition. Some things worked for me, others didn’t. Yet, I realized that this system can be applied to your personality and how you do anything in life…so here how it applies to working smarter…not harder.
Take the test:
Learn your Ayurvedic Dosha
SKIP to your dominant Dosha
1. If you’re Vata (Air & Ether) in Ayurveda
You’re full of ideas. You see possibility everywhere. But scattered energy = unfinished projects, spiraling pressure, or starting over again and again.
Work smarter means:
Structure over speed. You don’t need to do more—you need a routine that holds you, yet is still flexible — i.e. block different days for different things
Time-block your creative energy and your breaks. Without structure, you’ll burn time spinning.
Create a focused atmosphere: work in quiet spaces, turn off notifications, and commit to finishing one thing at a time.
Get things out of your head before you start work—lists, mind maps, whiteboards, visions.
Schedule time to “dream” and time to “do.
2. If you’re Pitta (Fire & Water) in Ayurveda
You’re focused, efficient, and results-driven. But you push too hard. You over-plan. You equate effort with worth.
Work smarter means:
Pausing before executing. Ask: “Is this the right task—or just the fastest path to dopamine?”
Build decision buffers. Step away before you decide to work on and ask your WHY.
Don’t optimize everything. Let 80% be enough where it matters less.
Lead from clarity, not control. You’ll do more of what matters if you drop the pressure to do it all perfectly. So it’s not just about the 80/20 rule..but doing only a % perfectly.
3. If you’re Kapha (Earth & Water) in Ayurveda
You’re loyal, grounded, and steady. But you resist change. You avoid momentum. You overcommit emotionally and undercommit strategically.
Work smarter means:
Choose starting — even if you don’t have a perfect plan, or WHY. Instead of researching more or waiting for the perfect time, begin.
Start small but commit visibly: a deadline, an accountability buddy, a calendar invite, tell your friends.
Batch your work. Ride your momentum. One push can carry you farther than you expect.
Let go of “shoulds.” Choose projects that energize you. Your loyalty is sacred—save it for the right work.
How to Work Smarter According to Traditional Chinese Medicine
I fell in love with this 5-element classification system when I started studying a Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It’s a great system that no only applies to healing diseases, and illnesses but your personality as well — how you live and react to life.
Take the test:
Learn your TCM 5 Element type
SKIP to your dominant element, and then read the secondary one
1. If you’re Wood Dominant (Liver / Gallbladder)
You’re a planner. A doer. But when blocked, you get irritated, indecisive, or controlling.
Work smarter means:
Make decisions quickly to release stuck energy. Progress often comes from movement, not perfect strategy.
Focus on one outcome. Don’t over-plan; just move the branch that’s in the way.
Use healthy urgency—tight timelines, minimal steps, public commitments. Your Qi loves momentum.
2. If you’re Fire Dominant (Heart / Small Intestine)
You’re magnetic, expressive, and full of creative energy. But you overextend, get emotionally drained, or distracted by novelty.
Work smarter means:
Prioritize resonance over performance. What actually lights you up?
Choose 1–2 aligned projects and go deep—resist the urge to chase every spark.
Add boundaries to your generosity. Protect your output from emotional depletion.
3. If you’re Earth Dominant (Spleen / Stomach)
You’re the center of gravity for others. You bring care and consistency. But you ruminate, overgive, and struggle to delegate.
Work smarter means:
Simplify to essential. Stop feeding every project equally. Focus on what truly supports your purpose.
Get out of the loop. Set time limits on planning and helping others—your energy needs to circulate.
Use templates, SOPs, and repeatable rituals. Let systems carry what you no longer need to hold.
4. If you’re Metal Dominant (Lungs / Large Intestine)
You’re precise, principled, and organized. But you over-edit. You hesitate. You cling to things that no longer serve.
Work smarter means:
Let go faster. Perfection is the enemy of done.
Create “good enough” zones for low-impact work so you can preserve energy for what really matters.
Set deadlines for decisions. You don’t need more clarity—you need movement.
5. If you’re Water Dominant (Kidneys / Bladder)
You’re introspective, deep, and intuitive. But you freeze under pressure or stay hidden.
Work smarter means:
Make the invisible visible. Externalize your plans. Speak your intentions. Don’t wait for certainty—let your work reveal it.
Design low-risk ways to test ideas. Build confidence through small, repeatable wins.
Protect your energy—but don’t isolate. Momentum comes from sharing the vision, not perfecting it alone.
Smart work isn’t one system. It’s about honoring yourself.f
The moment you align your work with your constitution — you’ll work “smarter”.
If You Want an Approach Rooted in Psychology — The Enneagram
The Enneagram was developed in the 20th century by psychologists like Claudio Naranjo, who integrated it with modern therapy to explore how core fears, motivations, and defense mechanisms shape behavior.
It’s all about core motivations and patterns of attention, which deeply affect how we approach work. Each type tends to overuse certain strategies, which can become blind spots. Working smarter means seeing the pattern—and choosing a better one.
Take the test:
Figure out your Enneagram types here
The Enneagram reveals the “why” behind how we work…
Type 1 – The Reformer
Motivation: To be good, right, and ethical
Work pattern: High standards, self-pressure, inner critic
Work smarter:
Set “good enough” thresholds before starting
Delegate where you over-control
Use end-of-day check-ins
Type 2 – The Helper
Motivation: To be loved and needed
Work pattern: Overextends for others, struggles with boundaries
Work smarter:
Start the day with your top 1–2 priorities—not someone else’s
Use auto-responders, busy status on Slack or time blocks to protect deep work
Track your impact without needing constant feedback and validation from others — how can you validate yourself?
Type 3 – The Achiever
Motivation: To be successful and admired
Work pattern: Constant doing, image-driven goals, burnout risk
Work smarter:
Reconnect with why a goal matters before chasing it
Define success metrics that include rest, joy, or relationships
Use weekly reviews to choose aligned goals—not just impressive ones
Type 4 – The Individualist
Motivation: To be unique and true to self
Work pattern: Emotional highs/lows, starts and stops, waits for inspiration
Work smarter:
Create structure before you need it—especially during low-energy days
Make your creative process visible (boards, voice notes, journals)
Finish a project even when the feeling shifts—completion is part of expression
Type 5 – The Investigator
Motivation: To be competent and self-sufficient
Work pattern: Over-prepares, under-shares, guards energy
Work smarter:
Start before you feel fully ready—clarity often comes through action
Create small output rituals (draft, publish, reflect)
Use timers to prevent research spirals
Type 6 – The Loyalist
Motivation: To feel safe and supported
Work pattern: Plans for every scenario, doubts decisions, needs external validation
Work smarter:
Choose once. Re-deciding wastes energy.
Use “if-then” plans to calm your nervous system
Name 3 reasons you can trust yourself before delegating decisions to others
Type 7 – The Enthusiast
Motivation: To avoid pain and stay stimulated
Work pattern: Jumps between ideas, avoids boring tasks, overcommits
Work smarter:
Choose 1 priority per week, and make it playful
Use themed workdays or time blocks to keep novelty within structure
Capture ideas in a system so you don’t have to act on them immediately
Type 8 – The Challenger
Motivation: To be strong and in control
Work pattern: Leads boldly, resists limitation, acts fast
Work smarter:
Build in pause space—decide, then review 24 hours later
Let others lead sometimes. It frees up energy for ideation, visioning
Use body cues (tension, exhaustion) to track when power, doing, control, more and more is masking burnout
Type 9 – The Peacemaker
Motivation: To stay at peace and avoid conflict
Work pattern: Avoids pressure, loses focus, says yes to avoid tension
Work smarter:
Set your top 3 tasks the night before so you don’t drift
Use music or movement to shift into momentum
Make choices early in the day—energy dips later can cause avoidance
Super Overused—Yet Deeply Researched: Psychology-Based Systems That Help You Work Smarter
We’ve all seen surface-level personality tests on the internet.
“Are you an INTJ or an INFP?”
“Take this quiz to find your productivity style!”
Even I cringe as I write this…wondering if I should include. But honestly — it did help me!!
And these two systems before are very well research — rooted in decades of psychological study.
The Big Five (OCEAN)
One of the most validated models in psychology. Each trait exists on a spectrum—there’s no bad score, just different needs.
Take the test to find our where you are on the spectrum:
Then adjust your working methods based on results by referencing below…
1. Openness to Experience
How to work smarter…
High openness:
You are curious, creative, comfortable with ambiguity
Avoid micromanagement and over-scheduling. Let yourself ideate, explore, and batch admin work.
Low openness:
Practical, routine-loving, detail-oriented
Build routines and SOPs you can repeat. Innovation should come in small, tested steps.
2. Conscientiousness
How to work smarter…
High conscientiousness:
Organized, self-disciplined, reliable
Use calendars and systems—but watch for rigidity and perfectionism.
Low conscientiousness:
Spontaneous, flexible, more present-focused
Use visual boards or single-task sprints. Focus on starting, not finishing everything at once.
3. Extraversion
How to work smarter…
High Extraversion:
Energized by people, talk to think, assertive
Schedule meetings, collaborations, and social tasks in your peak hours.
Low Extraversion:
Energized by solitude, think before speaking, observant
Create uninterrupted solo blocks. Space out calls and protect recovery time.
4. Agreeableness
How to work smarter….
High Agreeableness:
Empathetic, cooperative, diplomatic
Be mindful of people-pleasing or saying yes too often.
Low Agreeableness:
Independent, direct, skeptical of others input
Set clear goals and be transparent about communication style. You thrive when trusted to work solo.
5. Neuroticism
How to work smarter…
High Neuroticism:
Sensitive, emotionally reactive, stress-prone
Build in recovery, buffer time, and emotional check-ins. Don’t schedule back-to-back demands.
Low Neuroticism:
Leverage your calm in high-pressure work—but don’t bypass emotion. Check in with your team.
Emotionally stable, calm, resilient under pressure
MBTI (Myers-Briggs)
Take the test:
Each person is made up of 4 letters (e.g., INFP, ESTJ). So find your 4 letters and read about them:
1. Introversion (I) / Extraversion (E)
• I: Recharge alone, deep focus, prefer written reflection
• E: Recharge socially, fast talkers, brainstorm out loud
Work smarter:
• Introverts = Create uninterrupted work zones. Prep thoughts before big discussions.
• Extraverts = Use voice notes, walk-and-talks, or brainstorm calls to process ideas in motion.
2. Sensing (S) / Intuition (N)
• S: Practical, present-moment, prefers facts and details
• N: Big-picture thinker, future-focused, pattern-oriented
Work smarter:
• Sensing = Break projects into detailed steps. Anchor ideas in data.
• Intuition = Start with the big vision. Use mind maps to see nonlinear connections.
3. Thinking (T) / Feeling (F)
• T: Objective, values logic, focuses on outcomes
• F: Empathetic, values harmony, considers people impact
Work smarter:
• Thinkers = Prioritize transparency over tone—but take time to consider team morale.
• Feelers = Lead with clarity and care. Avoid over-accommodating at your own expense.
4. Judging (J) / Perceiving (P)
• J: Likes structure, closure, planning
• P: Prefers flexibility, exploration, last-minute sprints
Work smarter:
• Judging = Set deadlines—but allow breathing room. Avoid burnout from over-planning.
• Perceiving = Use rolling to-do lists and visual boards. Leave space for spontaneity within boundaries.
Human-Design: Can it Really Help You “Work Smarter”?
At first I skeptical…human design…a system created by some guy that said he “downloaded it”.
Yes I am super spiritual, but also skeptical (it’s the translation of my last name). Yet when I looked deeper — it made sense — as another reference point.
Human Design offers a blueprint for how we’re wired to operate. The founder combined many systems together to classify people into their Human Design type.
Where our energy comes from.
How we make decisions.
What kind of work is sustainable.
Take the tests:
Find out your Human Design
SKIP to your Human Design
1. Manifestor
You’re here to start things. You have bursts of energy that come and go.
Working smarter means building around those energetic bursts.
Smart strategies:
Plan your week around energy surges, not fixed hours. When you have the most energy, already have a relevant task list prepared. When you have no energy — don’t push yourself— rest.
When a strong idea hits, act on it—don’t overthink. Follow your inspiration — always.
Don’t force yourself to stay in motion between bursts. Rest creates your next wave.
Block off solo time. You work best when you can move without interruption.
2. Generator
You’re here to respond. When you’re doing work that excites you, your energy is magnetic and powerful.
Working smarter means choosing work that gives you energy back.
Smart strategies:
Let work come to you: respond to requests, questions, opportunities—not from your mind, but from your gut.
Pay attention to what drains vs. what satisfies. That feeling is your compass.
Batch energy-heavy tasks when you feel strong, and take breaks when you don’t.
Avoid “shoulds.” If your energy isn’t lit up, the work will take twice as long.
4. Manifesting Generator
You’re multi-passionate and fast-moving. You don’t follow a straight line.
Working smarter means letting yourself pivot and streamline.
Smart strategies:
Focus on speed and efficiency. Cut out steps that don’t feel necessary.
Don’t wait until something is perfect. Launch and evolve as you go.
When something stops energizing you, it’s okay to shift. That’s part of how you stay productive.
Build flexible structures so you can move between projects as energy changes.
5. Projector
You’re here to see deeply. You’re efficient with energy—but only if you use it wisely.
Working smarter means focusing your effort where it has the biggest impact.
Smart strategies:
Work in short, focused sprints. 2–4 hours of aligned work can be enough.
Guide others, improve systems, offer insight—this is where your energy is best spent.
Block off recovery time daily. Tiredness often comes from absorbing too much, not doing too little.
Be selective with projects. The right work recognizes your value—and doesn’t waste your energy.
6. Reflector
You’re sensitive to your environment and cycle through energy patterns.
Working smarter means giving yourself time, space, and clarity.
Smart strategies:
Don’t commit to fast deadlines. You need time to feel whether something is right.
Track your monthly energy flow. You work best when you align with the lunar cycle.
Work in inspiring, uplifting spaces. The environment affects your clarity and output.
Choose collaborative roles that let you reflect, guide, and sense what’s ready for change.
If You’re A Woman — Read This Last Part
Because women aren’t meant to operate like machines…
And my whole life changed when I started following this method.
You’re not meant to work the same way every day.
Linear productivity models were built around 24-hour male hormone cycles.
But female hormones operate on a ~28-day rhythm.
Your energy, creativity, focus, and drive shift across the month—and your work should too.
When you align your schedule with your cycle, everything flows more easily.
Menstrual (Days 1–5)
Best for: Rest, review, visioning
Smart tip: Clear your schedule. Reflect, don’t put pressure on yourself to work.
Follicular (Days 6–13)
Best for: Starting, planning, strategizing
Smart tip: Schedule brainstorming and focused work here (like that admin work you’ve been putting off). It’s also ok to be in more of your “masculine” productivity here.
Ovulation (Days 14–17)
Best for: Meetings, presenting, visibility
Smart tip: Do all of your calls, presentations, meetings, interviews.
Luteal (Days 18–28)
Best for: Editing, finishing, decluttering
Smart tip: Focus, simplify, say no to new. For some women — lighten your schedule, and don’t push your’sef to work.
At the end of the day, success isn’t about working the hardest.
It’s about working wisely.
Because smart work isn’t just about efficiency.
It’s about designing a life where work feels effortless.