Over the years I've heard all the phrases about how
achievement should be "effortless." One observation I do
like is that "when you do what you truly love, you'll never
work another day the rest of your life." There is great
truth in that!
But let's be honest. Achievement, success, and getting
stuff done usually requires work, and sometimes it requires
lots of hard, hard - really hard - work!
Sure, it's nice when we find smart, efficient ways to
minimize the work. And it's wonderful when the work "sort
of feels" like play. I'm a fan of Csikszentmihalyi's work
on the psychology of "flow" or "being in the zone." There
are times when everything is easy and productivity soars
and results seem effortless. Those are incredible
experiences and we all value them!
I wish we could have more of them!
The reality, however, is that building a business or
raising children, or sustaining a marriage or getting an
education are long-term projects that require hard,
sustained, discipline work. There is no getting around
that!
Now, most of us work a LOT! I would never minimize the
commitment IMPACT readers have to hard work!
Most of the people I talk with work too much! As a coach, I
often encourage my clients to take time for play and re-
creation. So this is not some mean-spirited accusation that
anyone is lazy!
I'm not even sure what the word "lazy" means!
People work really, really hard.
Rather, this is a reminder of two important principles:
First, we do work hard and we deserve to be honored for it.
Entrepreneurs often work 60, 70, 80 or more hours every
week! Managers often work just as long. Teachers,
therapists, anyone in sales - we all work long hours and
I'm not sure we give ourselves enough credit for it.
Secondly, hard work is the mark of a free and ambitious
people. Hard work is what we invest for the future, and it
is a GOOD thing!
Hard work is the price life demands for excellence. Hard
work is the price of superior results. Hard work is the
price of pride in our achievements.
Sometimes, especially when we get tired, we look for the
"easy way" or for short-cuts. We wish life could be easier,
and of course, being efficient and skilled is a GOOD
thing! But most of the time, life requires that we invest
our time and labor in the faith that we are building
something worthwhile.
Hard work is the mark of ambitious people, people who are
going someplace. It is the mark of people who value their
contribution and know that their lives and their hard work
make a difference in the world.
achievement should be "effortless." One observation I do
like is that "when you do what you truly love, you'll never
work another day the rest of your life." There is great
truth in that!
But let's be honest. Achievement, success, and getting
stuff done usually requires work, and sometimes it requires
lots of hard, hard - really hard - work!
Sure, it's nice when we find smart, efficient ways to
minimize the work. And it's wonderful when the work "sort
of feels" like play. I'm a fan of Csikszentmihalyi's work
on the psychology of "flow" or "being in the zone." There
are times when everything is easy and productivity soars
and results seem effortless. Those are incredible
experiences and we all value them!
I wish we could have more of them!
The reality, however, is that building a business or
raising children, or sustaining a marriage or getting an
education are long-term projects that require hard,
sustained, discipline work. There is no getting around
that!
Now, most of us work a LOT! I would never minimize the
commitment IMPACT readers have to hard work!
Most of the people I talk with work too much! As a coach, I
often encourage my clients to take time for play and re-
creation. So this is not some mean-spirited accusation that
anyone is lazy!
I'm not even sure what the word "lazy" means!
People work really, really hard.
Rather, this is a reminder of two important principles:
First, we do work hard and we deserve to be honored for it.
Entrepreneurs often work 60, 70, 80 or more hours every
week! Managers often work just as long. Teachers,
therapists, anyone in sales - we all work long hours and
I'm not sure we give ourselves enough credit for it.
Secondly, hard work is the mark of a free and ambitious
people. Hard work is what we invest for the future, and it
is a GOOD thing!
Hard work is the price life demands for excellence. Hard
work is the price of superior results. Hard work is the
price of pride in our achievements.
Sometimes, especially when we get tired, we look for the
"easy way" or for short-cuts. We wish life could be easier,
and of course, being efficient and skilled is a GOOD
thing! But most of the time, life requires that we invest
our time and labor in the faith that we are building
something worthwhile.
Hard work is the mark of ambitious people, people who are
going someplace. It is the mark of people who value their
contribution and know that their lives and their hard work
make a difference in the world.
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