Do you believe in hard work?

@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
March 28, 2011 8:28am CST
Nearly all parents teach their kids about the value of working hard. However, children soon learn that hard work is not the only factor to success, even in education. They see other children who spend time on playing games, study less, and still get better results. Even for many adults, they do not believe that hard work is the only factor to success in the workplace. That is why many of them learn the skill of looking very busy, but doing practically nothing. Do you believe in hard work? What are the factors for success?
1 person likes this
13 responses
@free_man (7330)
• United States
28 Mar 11
Hi Scheng. You get what you put into your life. If you work hard at doing what is right then you can get more out of life. The more you put into your work the more you get out of it. Say you plant a garden if you don't weed it the weeds will take over and you will see less of what you planted. The same goes with work the more you try to do a job and make it the way it should be the better the result. The less you do the less you have, the more you do the more you have. Yes I believe in hard work but just because it seems hard to others it don't really have to be hard. Success comes from doing a job the right way in the first place.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
29 Mar 11
Hi Freeman, I believe in hard work as well. I just feel that we need to think before we start to do anything. No point doing the wrong thing, and then spend time on reworking. It is good to commit to our work, just as long as we do not hurt ourselves as in overwork or work overnight. Over here, the culture is long working hours. Many people do not leave the office or the workplace even after 12 hours in the workplace. Even if they leave the workplace on time, they will work at home. Sometimes I think some of them are plain lazy to think, they just keep on using the old method to do things, and never think of improving on the process.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
31 Mar 11
Hi Free_man, actually I find that some people work hard at honing their laziness. If the company allows workers to come late for ten minutes without deducting salary, they will make full use of it. They will call in sick, and utilize all the sick leave entitlement as well. They just will not do an extra ounce of work for the company. I think these are the people really deserve a good spanking. They could have, and should have, used their talents to help the company save money or make money.
1 person likes this
@free_man (7330)
• United States
29 Mar 11
Hi Scheng. I think when we do something it is best to do it the right way the first time so you don't have to do it again. There are many ways to do one job not always the same as others do it. When I do something I think about it before I do it so when I do it is done the way I think is the best way. We all think differently and some may think their way is the best way. God hates lazy people Proverbs 26:14 basically it says that a lazy person is like being hinged to a mattres they can only flop one way or the other. And God hates that. I wouldn't want to work 12 hour days but when I get up I start to work doing what I need done at home before going to another job. And life is an all day job as it is. We all have to do what we need to do before going to a job and then after the job we all do what we need to do after the job. So with life it is a job to live.
• Philippines
28 Mar 11
I do believe in hardwork. Although can be achieved depending on certain factors (i.e. Luck, natural ability/skill/intellect, hardwork), i believe hard work is one thing one should concentrate on because its one factor we've got a hold on. We can't do anything about luck. It just come and goes. Inborn talent and intellect, its hard to alter because of genes. But the quality of work we are doing, we can do something about. Among the ingredients of success i guess this is one variable we have most control of so we should make the most out of it.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
29 Mar 11
Hi Rapuncille, I believe in working hard too, in addition to working smart, and getting along with people. I think most people work hard in physical work but they are too lazy to think. They prefer the comfort of doing routine tasks over and over again. If their bosses ask them to write a business proposal or to work on special projects, they shy away from the challenge. Actually the hardest work is mental effort, not physical effort.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
31 Mar 11
Hi Rapuncille, actually many people who are not intellectually blessed have a kind of street smart. They are the ones who know how to take short cut or cover up their mistakes without leaving a trace. It is too bad that many of these people choose to use their talents in wrong ways. Instead of thinking how to earn more or reaching out for senior position, they want to do the least amount of work, and get away with laziness.
• Philippines
29 Mar 11
Hi scheng! I put value as well in both working smart and in trying to get along well with others. Success should also be accompanied by a positive attitude in life. I just stressed on working hard in my previous post because to me it means pushing yourself to maximize all your abilities in order for you to achieve the best possible output. To me it is all encompassing and not only limited to physical ability. I try to shy away with the working smart term cause the very word "smart" connotes that there's a certain level of intellect needed for you to be able to do that. I agree with you that there are certain people who are lazy to use what is in between their ears even if they are capable to do so. Indeed, it is a waste. But I recognize also that there are certain people who are not intellectually blessed as others (blame the genes) that no matter how they try to work smart, all they are capable to do is to work hard. That's the reason why I think hard work is one variable to almost all of have a hand on. :)
@yugasini (12893)
• Secunderabad, India
28 Mar 11
hi scheng, you are right,that every parent wishes their children work hard in studying and obtain good marks and wish to success in their career,every parent wish the same,but according to their fate,some students may learn some may not learn,still there are lot of people without education,i too was not worked hard for bright future,so what is the result,you know it,have a nice day
@yugasini (12893)
• Secunderabad, India
30 Mar 11
hi scheng, thanks for the response,you are right and you are the mother,you know about your children and their ability and you are wise in taking decisions,but now a days parents are eager that their children learn more and earn more,is it possible to every body,what ever written in their fate that only will happen to them,have a nice day
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
30 Mar 11
Hi Yugasini, I think if parents are reasonable, they know how good the children are, and will not force them to go beyond their abilities. Sometimes, parents are not smart, yet they demand their children to win all kinds of scholarships. That is not possible. Even if the children study day and night, and memorize every single sentence in the textbook, they still will not become the top student.
@shia88 (4571)
• Malaysia
30 Mar 11
HI, From my point of view, hard work is one of the factor to be success,but luck and level of education do play a part too to determine someone's sucess in his business or job. Since I was young, my parents always emphasize on hard working in my study,then when come to work, I have to be hardworking too so that my boss will feel happy with my work and performance.
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
28 Mar 11
I believe in doing your share of work, especially on the job. You should be proud of your work ethics, that you don't just go to work and fool around on the job and expect to get paid for doing nothing,however, overworking yourself is not a good idea either. Teaching our children to be honest and doing the best job they are capable of doing will take them a long way in this life.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
13 Apr 11
Hi Angelgirl, those who are paid overtime rarely get to stay back and do nothing. Here the bosses are very picky on overtime payment. Most of us need to stay back late, without a single cent in overtime payment. Many people aim for promotion or better bonus. They want to show their bosses that they can come early, and stay late. It is mainly a cultural thing over here. While some bosses with young kids do not believe in working extra hours or to judge employees on staying late, most bosses are not like that.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
31 Mar 11
Hi Angelgirl, working extremely long hours is a problem in many Asian countries. Asian countries make so many things for the world, and the workers are so lowly paid that they need the overtime to survive. I think for some people, working hard is enough to let them keep their jobs. For others, they are not really working hard. They just stay in the office long enough to make their bosses happy. Their bosses think that they are working hard, when they are just loitering around doing nothing meaningful. It is surprisingly how far these people can go.
• United States
13 Apr 11
I totally understand having to do overtime to make endings meet. I also can believe that some people just hang around to look as if they are work overtime, but are there just for the extra hour, which is not fair to the real workers.
• Philippines
28 Mar 11
I think that hard work still plays a big role to any success. It's a big part of the any success story but it's not just about hard work. Sometimes, you need to be more positive and optimistic about your goals in life, perseverance, strength and a little bit of luck. Making the right decisions and staying focused helps you achieve your goal. That's what helps all your hard work pay off in the end.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
30 Mar 11
Hi Penrockerchic, yes, luck does play a part. Some people are plain lucky. When they graduate, they can get a job, and keep on getting promotion. Some people are just unlucky. I think those who work for Enron are really unlucky. They lose their jobs, and their savings.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
5 Apr 11
Hi Penrockerchic, I think our Chinese definition of luck is more accurate. The Chinese mentions about three kinds of luck factor. One is the heavenly luck, meaning our potential, our talents, and the opportunities given to us by Heaven. One is the earthly luck, which comes from our environment. A person born in the wrong country will never get as rich as another person born in another country. The last is the man's luck, meaning our own effort. When all three are align, we will feel happy, and lucky, and successful.
• Philippines
1 Apr 11
yeah. Sometimes luck can be a part of one's success. But some say we make our own luck. We create our own opportunities. If we stay focused and driven then there's nothing stopping us not even bad luck. When we create opportunities that can open doors to a whole new world of success, it would still imply that we need to work real hard to keep these opportunities and our luck rolling.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
28 Mar 11
There are times where hard work comes in many forms. In fact, one might say that the hardest work at all is finding the way to making the most amount of money with the least amount of effort. It really does seem like a lazy passive thing at first, but think about this. Some of these people might have worked for years, trying to find a formula that worked, with many frustrations along the way. They most likely got frustrated and many fail, before they really succeed, because they are unable to work hard enough to get the point where they don't have to work as hard. I think people don't realize that things take time. They want the short cut without years of trial and error. That is the greatest misconception in life that its easily to find a way to earn big without working hard. Granted, there are times where it comes across knowing the right people. Still you need to work hard to get to the top. When you're at the top, there are times where you still might have to work hard. Still the value of hard work to get to that point cannot be understated.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
29 Mar 11
Hi Megamatt, I agree with your viewpoints. Many people are simply too lazy to work, and yet they demand the highest possible salary. Some people are very hardworking, in term of doing routine and physical work. They are too lazy to think, and they do not like to shoulder responsibility or make unpopular decisions. They cannot go far also.
@natjohn20 (200)
• Philippines
28 Mar 11
I believe in hard work, that's the reason what became of me today, a successful health care professional. Not long ago, I don't believe in hard work, I was always lazy in studying and not doing my homework back in my college days. Even there's a test for tomorrow, I don't study. I was a lazy student since my elementary years until college. The only thing that change me, is when the time I took my Li-censure examination and my mom told me to study hard with all your best, but I didn't listen to her. What happen after that, I failed the examination and I was humiliated and ashamed of my failure. I regret for what happen to me because I didn't listen to my mother and work hard. The incident change me and my life, I started working hard and took the Licensure examination again, to my surprice I succeed and became a health care professional, just because of my hard work and perseverance. I was able to make my mother proud and happy for once in my life.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
31 Mar 11
Hi Natjoin, that is a very encouraging experience. I guess your mother knows the value of hard work too. Actually working hard is just part of your success in healthcare, I think if your role involves talking to patients, you need good tactic in communication as well. Many people find it hard to explain difficult medical terms, or to reveal bad news tactfully. Most patients find it hard to accept their conditions, and are frustrated enough to abuse their doctors and nurses.
@katie0 (5203)
• Japan
29 Mar 11
I believe. Most of the people who got there were hard workers and persistent people always get what they want.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
31 Mar 11
Hi Katie, in many instances, we cannot see the hard work. Some people seem to do nothing much, since theirs are the mental work. They stare at the ceiling, at the birds or go home early and come to work late. However, once they have a bright idea, the company earns billion of dollars. I think many people misunderstand them, thinking they are lazy, when they are the most hardworking of all.
• Bulgaria
29 Mar 11
Hello hard work is first step to guaranteed success.But i think that is not the one thing.As we know the things in life are connected so i think that is just needed work and dose of luck in life.The best results are comming by the luck and chance to realize your abilities which is also luck.If somebody believe in your potential and your keen mind you'll have more chances to success.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
31 Mar 11
Hi Ivaylo, I agree that luck plays a very big part in life. It does not matter how hard we work if we are plain unlucky in everything. For example, those employees working for a company that is closing down will not get promotion, and bonus. They will get retrenched, with or without benefits. I have read of someone joining companies that do not do well, and getting retrenches times after times. I think they are just plain unlucky, even though they are good employees.
@wadabski (761)
• Philippines
28 Mar 11
Who can argue that hard work will contribute to success. There is another thing we should consider about other ways on how to work. Working smart is also one of the most effective ways we will prevail in our tasks.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
29 Mar 11
Hi Wadabski, I agree that working smart is very important too. I think the only other factor more important than working hard or working smart, is to know our bosses and customers better. If we know that our bosses take time to reach a decision, then we should not keep on pressing them. I think the skill of getting along with people of all levels is very important in both study and work. Many smart and hardworking persons do not progress anywhere, because they are not sensitive to the feelings of their bosses and colleagues.
• Mexico
29 Mar 11
i really dont believe in hard work, its hard to deal sometimes with work but all depends on how well skill u r if you are prepare for the job everything can be easy, i believe that if we use our intelectual force can lead us to better results we always have to measure the potential we have and then do the work otherwise will fail. all of us are prepare to do certain jobs
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
31 Mar 11
Hi Investor, some people are really gifted, and they can do well without putting in much effort. Those investment bankers, scientists, and other professionals are good examples. They are either good in spotting trends, or communicating their ideas, or just gifted. They can achieve more with less work.
• Romania
28 Mar 11
Yes, I believe in hard work but I don't work so hard to be the first. The factors for success is you. You need to think for the future and what you will do in it. You can wait and spent your time and think how will be the next day. You need to learn how much you can and leave other activities which are waste of time. Good luck for everyone.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
30 Mar 11
Hi LordCronos, you bring up a very good point. Some people simply do not know what things are wasting time, and do not bring any benefit to themselves or the company. They just keep on doing those time-wasting things. I think the fact that many junk mails floating around, and the fact that people are forwarding those junk mails mean that they are wasting time at work. If only they focus on their work, they can finish everything on time.