[July 2, 2018] I write often about advice on how to be a successful leader. Much of it is like my maternal grandmother’s advice which was simple … work hard and you will be happy and successful. But, I make the assumption that every reader has the same understanding of what ‘work hard’ means and how it makes for success.
A few weeks ago while speaking with local college students, I was asked by one on this subject, “What I meant by working hard?” He asked if I meant physical labor or perhaps I meant working long hours. Either way, the meaning we use has become blurred and should be clarified; at least how I use it.
The problem with defining ‘work hard’ means that we must deal with perceptions that differ from person to person. We should take note that most folks already think they work hard. We go to work, we go to school, we keep ourselves and our living space clean, we pay our bills, etc. At the end of the day, we are tired and have little time for our families. This, however, is not working hard because it’s the regular work everyone does.
To work hard involves doing things above and beyond regular work and it requires a level of excellence that is rarely seen. To be truly successful in our chosen profession or at school or play, hard work is required and it is not for the faint of heart.
To work hard means:
- To be highly self-motivated.
- Having the mental and physical stamina to grind out work.
- Personal sacrifice.
- Having a vision of what you want and wanting it more than others.
- Doing more of everything relative to those around you.
Of the five on this list, doing more of everything is key to doing the ‘hard work’ necessary for success. To work hard can mean longer hours at work, less time with the family and friends, working when others are gone, staying up late and getting up earlier, greater risk at work and home, and less comfort. Or, it could be any combination of these or none at all.
If you are doing what everyone else is doing, you are not working hard. However, if you find yourself alone working while others are at play, you are on your way to knowing what hard work is about. There is no secret sauce for success but if we do more than others and do it correctly, we will not only be successful but we will also be happier and more satisfied.
I think any of us here at this leadership website will agree that we work pretty hard. Why else would we be reading it in the first place? Leaders work longer and harder than most employees. That is not a put-down but just a fact of life. That is why they say leadership is tough, complex, and not for everyone. All the best to my colleagues here as we go into the 4th of July holiday. Note: A special shout-out to my Aussie friends.
Another good post and great comments from readers. I’ve become a big fan of this site over the past few years and congratulate all that contribute to making it as the “go to” site for leadership.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions but hard work is defined as going beyond the standard to the level of extreme excellence. Excellence is only achieved by throwing all your effort its way. Otherwise, you are just like everyone else and that is “average.”
“Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.” Peter Drucker quote.
More great comments today. Thanks everyone for pitching in on this topic. I work a 80 hour work week and yet don’t think I work hard. I’m in an office with air conditioning and heat, rarely travel, and have a great boss. I also get paid well above average. I use my intellect and leadership skills to pave my way to success. It takes dedication and passion to do this and that is why I don’t think I work hard.
I agree with Doug Smith that this can be an emotional topic. It’s difficult for anyone to have to admit they don’t work hard but when it comes to comparisons, they often are just middle of the road workers.
Thanks Bill. The topic has been broached before.
Good list of quotes on working hard: 37 Inspiring Quotes About Working Hard and Achieving Big Things,
https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/37-inspiring-quotes-about-working-hard-and-achieving-big-things.html
Emotional, yes. Fact-driven, rarely. Thanks to Gen. Satterfield for bringing it up again.
I liked your blog post today and appreciate you taking on a difficult and sometimes emotional topic. I think that most people believe they work hard but still have weekends off or holidays off (like the 4th of July coming up in two days) and yet they think they work hard. Most of this is attributed to people not knowing what others do.
Nice article here on hard work. Similar to yours Gen. Satterfield. Thanks.
Thanks for the enlightening article on hard work. Most people have no clue what hard work is or is about. They may have worked a day or two and called it hard work but when you work for years doing the most difficult things (see this article) then that is really when it’s hard.
My standard work week is 50 hours per week. I have two kids at home, a husband, two dogs, sports events, many friends, church, and the list keeps on going. At the end of the day, I”m exhausted (most of the time anyway) but I don’t think this is working hard. Last year I finished my college degree and still did all that. Now I know what hard work is all about.
Nice generic list of what makes “work hard.” I will add that most of us equate working hard with the time it takes and the stress we are under. These two could be put into some equation for those of us math-oriented. Nice job, Gen Satterfield.
Army Captain spelled out some important points regarding combat vice working hard. You cannot put these in the same category because combat is so different (yes, it is actually hard). As for civilian jobs, they do compare to many military jobs and we can compare them. Overall, I believe that most people who are in the military services do work harder than civilians. That’s just the way it is. If you disagree with me…too bad.
Army Vet, haven’t heard from you in a while. Good to see you’re still reading my blog.
Hey, Army Vet. I’m looking forward to your next article.
Yeah, me too. You are so unpolitically correct.
… and thanks for your service.
Yes, I do agree that most people, in the West anyway, don’t know about hard work. You have to live in a third world country where survival is more important than working a 75 hour work week.
Thanks, good article today to start my day off with humility (I’m not working hard).
Gen Satterfield, you mentioned “self sacrifice” in your article. I think you are spot on with that one and suggest that anything short of it cannot be considered working hard. You are also correct that many people believe they are working hard when they are actually not. Thanks for a good article today.
In combat, things are difficult to compare because your family is not there but the priorities are simple … combat. It’s totally consuming. Everything you do is related to your buddies and the enemy. No one who has never been in combat has any idea what “hard work” is about. This is the ultimate in hard work.
I once worked an 80-hour workweek and did so for about a year. It was tough on the family and I had to set my priorities in order to keep my family together. That meant family, church, work, and then everything else in that order. I didn’t get to do much else for myself or my friends. That’s what working hard is about.
I think you have it right. If you are a really hard worker, then you must have a clear and short list of life priorities.
Good comment Max. Priorities are the key to working hard and not letting it get to you.
I think you hit to the heart of the matter.
Good article. I would like to see a little more on this writing because too many individuals who “work” are not actually working hard. Some examples would be nice. For example, is working a 75 hour week actually working hard? Is physical labor actually working hard? Is dangerous work, working hard? If some of our readers could give a few examples, I would appreciate it. Thanks all.
There is no doubt in my mind that most people have absolutely no idea what it’s like to work hard. They think that just doing the minimum is working hard. No surprises here.
Yep! 😉
Good comment.
Some even do less than the minimum and they think they’re privileged. I see this all the time.