How many times have you heard that hard work is the key to success? Probably a lot, and it’s true! Hard work is key to success, and it’s for a variety of different reasons.
But before we dive into our reasons why being hardworking is the key to success, let’s talk about why it matters!
Why does working hard even matter?
Well, simply said, hard work leads to success. I’m living proof of that.
Several years ago, I knew I needed to make a change that would require me to work harder than I had ever before. I wanted to move back into management in the nonprofit sector.
One of the issues I was coming across in my career change was not having a bachelor’s degree. I had an associate’s, which was great for where I was but not the next step.
For the next two years, I dedicated myself to getting my bachelor’s while continuing to work full time. It was HARD. I worked from 7 am to 4 pm as a teacher then went to class every weeknight from 6 pm to 9 pm.
I did my homework when I could during breaks and I leveraged time blocks. On Saturdays, I would write an essay instead of hanging out with friends. And on Sundays, I spent the whole day catching up on sleep and prepping for the week ahead.
During those two years, people knew me as a hard worker. I had to be in order to be committed and dedicated for two years!
As a result of my reputation, several job offers found their way to me post-graduation. Because of this experience and others, I believe that hard work is key to success.
5 Reasons why being hardworking is the key to success!
I already shared my story with you and now I’m going to share why hard work is the key to success and how it can pay off in your own life.
Not only will hard work get you appreciation from others and more opportunities, but there is also a lot of personal growth that results from it. Here are the reasons why you should work hard!
1. Hard work motivates and rewards you
Being a hard worker is rewarding. When we work hard, we can see our success and achievements. And the whole process of hard work can be a reward in itself that can help you become a better person and keep you moving in the right direction.
Success isn’t everything, but seeing how far you’ve come is motivating. Especially with big projects such as going back to school or working hard to snag a promotion at work.
2. Hard work shows you are dependable
Another reason why being hardworking is the key to success is because it shows you are dependable. When you’re someone people can count on, people will keep you in mind. After all, why not?
People will start to talk when you’re known for working hard in your field. At the workplace, people might start asking you to be on their team or want your help to oversee any projects they may need assistance with.
If you own your own business, your products, and/or services could become the first choice for your customers because of your dependability.
People want someone who’s going to get things done on their side, and based on your hard work, they’ll know who to call. People wanting to work with you is an excellent example of how hard work leads to success!
3. Hard work shows commitment
When you decide on a path for yourself and work hard to get there, you are committed to that goal. This means you might have to say no to anything that comes up that does not align with your purpose or path.
Saying no to things that don’t serve you and staying focused while working hard shows commitment. Your commitment is what is going to help you succeed in the workplace and/or in business.
Choosing to be dedicated to your work can have both financial and career benefits, so it is worth it.
4. It helps you develop self-discipline
Hard work means that you are able to develop your self-discipline over time. Procrastination can set you up for failure when trying to achieve the simplest tasks.
Giving in to distractions can lead to idleness, but the opposite is true, also. When you are focused on being a good worker self-discipline will follow. It’s another reason why hard work is key to success!
And in addition to discipline, you can gain other good qualities such as patience and persistence. The character quality of self-discipline can also be useful for sticking to your financial and personal goals.
Be sure to check out our list of best books on self-discipline!
5. The harder you work, the quicker you get ahead
You already know by now that hard work pays off. The harder you work, the faster you get the results you want. But working hard doesn’t always mean that you’ll be able to get everything you want on the first or even second try.
You have to be patient and trust that hard work leads to success. What you put in now will get you ahead later.
5 Key tips to embrace hard work because hard work is the key to success
Now that you know why hard work is key to success, here are some tips for working smarter, not harder.
1. Keep a log of your accomplishments to keep you motivated
I have ADHD, but even without a disability, it’s hard to remember everything you do so that you can be acknowledged for it later on via a promotion or raise.
By printing out emails as they come in or jotting down the results of projects or even compliments you receive you can create documentation of all of your accomplishments.
For me, having all of my achievements at hand made it that much easier to go back to my boss to ask for a promotion when I felt I had earned it.
A hardworking person can earn more money or move up in their career as a result of preparation and strategic actions like logging their accomplishments.
2. Post professional updates on social media
Sometimes your hard work leads to success but other times may go unnoticed. While that can be frustrating, know that you can fix that by sharing your accomplishments on social media.
LinkedIn is an excellent professional tool that’s free. So if you aren’t already utilizing it to its full potential, we have a Clever Girl Finance LinkedIn Course that’s completely FREE and can help.
By sharing your professional updates on a consistent basis with your network, people will keep you in mind the next time an opportunity with your name on it presents itself.
Plus you’ll gain momentum to continue as you see your accomplishments growing, proving that being hardworking is the key to success.
3. Set SMART Goals
Commitment is an excellent characteristic for anyone, but it’s easy to commit to the wrong thing if you don’t know where you’re going. Having goals can help you not only make new things into habits but also keep you focused.
Consider setting SMART Goals based on your to-do’s to get you further with your career and finances. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.
When you know how to set the right goals, you’ll know what to focus on with laser precision and you’ll achieve them much faster. Hard work is key to success, especially when you focus on what you want to accomplish.
4. Gamify your results and treat yourself
Maybe it’s the ADHD I mentioned above, but one of the ways I’m able to hit my commitment goals is to make them into a game with a fun reward at the end. For me, it’s hard sometimes knowing that I have to do something repetitive, like working out.
I know I should work out and that it’s good for me. But having to do it week in and week out sometimes gets overwhelming. And that can be with anything you need to commit to and work hard on.
But making your goals into a game may give you a greater degree of satisfaction when you do well and help you get rid of bad habits and replace them with better ones.
So break down your commitment into smaller, more manageable steps, and then treat yourself at the end. For example, if I need to work out four times a week, I will give myself $10 extra spending money to have fun. How else am I going to fund my gardening hobby?!
5. Plan out your schedule and utilize time management
I mentioned above that I’m able to stay committed by “gamifying” my results, but my other secret to getting ahead with hard work? A good old-fashioned paper planner!
When you’re working hard, it’s hard to balance everything and even harder to keep track. Time is limited, which is why time management is your friend, and many successful individuals operate this way.
Make a list of everything that you need to do every week. Then sit with your planner and figure out how you’re going to schedule your week.
Only when we see our week in advance can we plan properly. You can also take advantage of time blocking to make sure you get things done.
By using a planner, you can manage your time to get ahead quicker while still taking time for yourself and other important things when they come your way.
In the end, hard work is key to success!
When you’re a disciplined person, people know it. No one will ever question what you do because they know you are reliable, dependable, and committed. Plus your hard work will pay off in dividends as you start to see results in achieving the goals you have set for your life.
Being hardworking is the key to success, so don’t feel that it’s a waste of time. You can work hard by practicing perseverance, sharing your success stories, and continuing to avoid laziness. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep striving!