Towards the end of last year, I read an article written by a very popular blogger that addressed the question of how he had become successful.
He explained that he had tried for years to create a blog that would take off, but had been unsuccessful. Eventually, he admitted to himself that he wasn’t working as hard as he could be. He made an effort to change that, working harder and managing to achieve his dream of becoming a full-time writer.
It was a well-received article, but it’s been playing on my mind ever since because it triggers thoughts of a subject that I’m often preoccupied with: at what point are you working hard enough?
Claiming your success comes from hard work is both an inspiring and a worrying idea.
Anyone can work hard. If success is all about hard work, it removes perceived barriers of talent, education or background, meaning that you can achieve your dreams if you want them enough.
But what about the people who work hard and don’t succeed?
If we follow this argument through, then they just aren’t working hard enough.
And that’s the dangerous word for me. When is it enough?
I have a number of projects on the go right now: a full-time job, crowdfunding my debut novel, writing the next novel, running this blog and generally living – spending time with family and friends, reading, exercising, walking the dog, cleaning etc.
If I’m honest, I could be working harder on any one of those things. But look at the bigger picture and it’s a struggle just to keep everything afloat.
The idea of hustle is so prevalent in the online world that we’ve been trained to think that if we aren’t working hard and pursuing our dreams at all times, then we’re already failing. We’re not making the most of our lives or our potential.
But we’re all human too.
Taking time to rest and replenish is just as important, otherwise you’re going to burn out fast.
Life should be about fun and laughter and love, not only work, deadlines and hustle.
And sometimes things just don’t work out. You might put everything into launching a business, but it just never takes off.
Sometimes success depends on a delicate balance of hard work, skill and luck. Two people might do exactly the same things but only one of them happens to meet the person who is able to give their project the boost it needs. They succeed, where the second person gives up.
Hard work is important, but it isn’t everything.
And the relentless pursuit of success shouldn’t come at the expense of your health and happiness.
So work hard if you want, play hard too. But remember that there’s no shame in slowing down or even stopping if you need to.
Lynsey || One More Slice says
I really agree with this sentiment. You can work hard and it still not comes of anything, sometimes someone gets the job over you or you may not be the best person for whatever you are striving towards.
Plus, it completely ignores the advantage that privilege has and you’re right, that is incredibly dangerous xx
Lynsey || One More Slice
Amy Lord says
Definitely, hard work can mean different things for different people, depending on your starting point. Some people have to do a lot more to reach their goal than others, even if the end point is the same.
Chichi says
Great post! This is exactly my sentiment right now. I used to believe hard work was enough, and I’d work hard to the detriment of my own health and happiness. But there have been so many times where I’ve worked hard at things and I’ve still not achieved what I wanted, or I’ve still failed. People would assume that I’d not tried hard enough, but that was a load of nonsense because I put my heart and soul into everything I do.
I’ll always be hardworking but the difference is that if I feel as though something isn’t working out for me, I am happy to switch gears or quit while I’m ahead and save my energy for something much more worthwhile. I am now aware that sometimes you do need a little bit of luck to achieve a goal or a certain level of success. I’ve given up on certain things because I knew my hard work wasn’t enough and I’d fallen out of love with the journey, and in the end, I felt better in myself. I’d rather try and fail than not try at all, but also, I’d rather walk aware with my sanity intact is something isn’t working out isn’t of ploughing through and hoping for the best.
I’ve also reached a point in my life where I don’t share my goals with people anymore because if things don’t work out, then I can quietly move on without judgement, contempt or put-downs from others.
Chichi
chichiwrites.com
Amy Lord says
Thanks Chichi, it sounds like you have a good approach. Working hard is great, but it isn’t always the best thing for you, taking care of yourself and being happy is more important. And maybe some of that luck will come your way just when you need it!