Does Hard Work Really Pay Off?

The question can be asked also in another way? Does only hard work pay off? I have observed for many years, many talented, smart, idealist creators to think that their hard work will be truly appreciated.

I guess you already saw it coming: it won’t, not necessarily. But this is not the ultimate message of this post.

The first message is this: hard work doesn’t guarantee success. But for success, working hard is a must. Then comes the ultimate message: Don’t expect appreciation out of hard work. Noone will knock the door and put a medal on your chest for all you’ve done. Noone will appreciate you for taking the extra step. You will not hear it, you will not see it. You will simply build your own standard, and you will take it with you.

To be fair, most of the time you work hard for yourself anyways. It’s the comforting feeling in the end of everyday, that you made all the effort you can, to deserve what you earned.

This is not the reality, and it is not supposed to be. And it’s clearly not the smart way to go. There is a good moment to work hard, for the good cause. Otherwise you set the bar high, then it’s taken for granted that it can’t go low.