We all know that working very hard isn't the road to success. Sometimes you need some real talent, and a little luck. But if you're looking to get ahead professionally, you might want to avoid actually working hard.

A new study says that appearing to work hard might be the true ticket to success.

According to Erin Reid, a Harvard University School of Business professor and author of the study, employees who looked like they were working hard were just as successful as those who actually did work.

Which means, all that time running up and down for your boss was wasted.

It all boils down to perception:

Reid examined employees in a fast-paced company and found that the ones who appeared to be working hard were able to spend a lot of their time with their spouse or family, and were later promoted too.

Employees who attempted to or requested lighter loads were reprimanded through poor performance reviews.

The take back from this: just pretend to work hard. It'll pay off.