You're right, working smart is more important than working hard. However, that does not mean hard work is no longer important. You can have a good financial strategy, knowledge, and skills, but without the effort and discipline to execute them, they won't bring you success.
I have met some people who work less but still live a comfortable life, but that doesnt mean they are not hardworking. Most of them have also gone through period of nonstop hard work, quietly building their foundation before reaching where they're today.
Similarly, most of the wealthiest people have had to invest a great deal of time and effort before they could enjoy the success they achieved. None of them became rich simply by working less than other from the beginning.
Some become rich by inheritance. No need to work at all. Just a simple wealth transfer from your one of your deceased family members to you. I've noticed that those who get rich without effort, don't tend to value work as much as those who worked hard to build their way towards financial success. But don't worry, because tech will eventually change our society in ways we've never imagined.
Many predict AI will take over most (if not all) human jobs, leaving us with a "Universal Basic Income" system where the government pays us by doing absolutely nothing. Zero work or effort to earn money. Truth or fiction? Only time will tell...
