For most of my life I have tried to do less and achieve more. For the most part this has been in vain! However it has always been in my mind that the belief, “you have to work hard to get anywhere in life”, really doesn’t fit for me. I appreciate that the people who might be considered successful actually seem to work hard, however there is much more to the story than simply putting in the hours and watching the success and money roll in.
You have to do something that you love. Something that you love to do is never a chore; it never seems like hard work and it always leaves you feeling energised. The belief that you have to work hard to get anywhere in life, on the surface seems true. All the evidence of successful people points to working hard, for long hours and normally struggling to make ends meet in the beginning.
However, if it is something you love to do, it will never feel like hard work, the hours will never seem long and the struggle is all part of the fun of the journey. So many people have said that the joy is in the journey, not the destination. Of course, without a destination there can be no journey.
The bottom line is that you are the one who says what is hard work for you. If you feel as though you are working hard and struggling all the time with it, the chances are that you do not love what you do and there may be a better choice for you. Now before you go and quit your job and live out your lifelong dream… get some help and support – friends, family, maybe even a coach (of course I’d love to help you!) and make sensible plans to create the changes you wish to see.
If you already do what you love to do, then I expect you feel the way that I do, that work doesn’t feel like work! If not, find what you love to do and join the rising number of people who are creating their life purpose on their own terms.
You’re right. To do what you love is the key and you won’t feel like it is work anymore!
There is a cliche’ that says,”Time passes by so fast to those who love what they do and time is so slow to those who don’t love what they do.”
I guess you barely noticed the time if you love your work…and you can not even call it a work. The passion is ever present and your body might be tired but the heart is not.
Very inspirational post.
@NIña Thanks for your comments. In the wonderful state where you love everything you do, you don’t even notice time!! Regards, Dan.
I’ve been meaning to live my life to fullest. There are a lot of things that I wanted to do, but cannot do it freely. Sometimes I feel that I am tied up to what society dictates. =(
Dan O’Neil says… The vast majority of people have no idea that they have a choice in everything they are, they do and they have. Waking up to that choice is waking from a bad or average dream into a beautiful world that is yours to shape, create and enjoy.
The problem society has is that some people work hard pay large taxes and some people are happy to feed of others hard work and do the minimal work or take benefits.
My advice is, work hard, save hard and eventually you will get the opportunity to live your dream.
Some people are lucky enough to live their dream early, some people I know worked hard all their life and now get the rewards by retiring in their early 50s.
Dave´s last blog post..Shutter company gains green recognition
Dan O’Neil says… Thanks for your comments Dave. I’m not sure I agree though.
I think you also have to want to learn everything about the work or service you do. This way you find what people want or need and figure out what you can offer that others do not. Yes it is hard work but if you want to learn everything you can about a topic it does not seem like work if you like that topic.
Dan O’Neil says… Thanks Ken, that’s true – if you enjoy your work, then of course you’ll read and immerse yourself in information about it and it won’t be work!
You have to workhard to acheive your goal. The belief that you have to work hard to get anywhere in life, on the surface seems true. It takes you to travell a fruitful life. the main slogan you should remember is love your work. Then everything seems to be simple. And I feel luck has no impact on hard work. Luck is the fake reason of many lazy hands.
Dan O’Neil says… How is it some people make life look so simple and yet others work their fingers to the bone and get nowhere?? You can’t get lucky by doing nothing, however there’s working smart and there’s working hard.
I have learned the hard way that passion is everything! Slaving away for a paycheck at a job you hate won’t make you happy. If you are stuck at a job like that, at least develop a plan to move on to something better. Just having a plan will make the job seem like a step on the path to something better instead of a death sentence.
Dan O’Neil says… However you learn it, it’s a great lesson to learn!
It all depends on how you look at it. Some people are lucky to have the skills to be successful in something they enjoy doing. Many people feel they have no choice but to work hard in something they don’t enjoy just to get by.
It is my belief that there is something out there for everybody that they enjoy, and can be good at. It’s just a matter of finding that area and working at it to fulfill your potential.
I fully agree with what you say. I remember my study at university. I managed to do so much work and I had a job simultaneously. And I managed to do it all only because I lived it so much and it was so interesting!
I have learned so so much over the years. To get anything you have to want it so bad. Turning up to do a job just isn’t enough, You have to turn up and make it happen.
In my experience it isn’t always about the money, its about trying…Keep working, Keep smiling and the world will be a happy place.
Paul Shutters
Cheers Paul.