The Benefits of Hard Work
November 9th, 2009 Posted in Newsletter
I recently did an interview with Jamie Eckle for Computer World about the benefits of Hard Work. I thought you would benefit from it so here it is.
Q&A: with Jon Gordon
The author of Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else says the secret to success might be as simple as hard work.
Q: I’ve read a lot of prescriptions for success, but these days you don’t hear much about hard work. It’s certainly a factor, but is it really the preeminent qualification for success?
A:I really believe it is. Innovation doesn’t happen without hard work. Producing a great product or service doesn’t happen without hard work. Real leadership happens in the trenches, not on the golf course. Software doesn’t get produced without thousands of hours of hard work. Of course, you have to be smart, you have to have the right strategy, you have to have a great culture. But hard work is what translates vision and ideas into results. Study the best of the best and you’ll find that they really do work harder than everyone else.
Q: A lot of people think hard work goes unnoticed, and that it just makes you a drudge. How do you make sure your boss sees the extra stuff you do?
A: I have found that when you work hard, people notice. Maybe not right away, but eventually people notice, and rewards happen without you pushing for them. They naturally come your way.
The key is to do your best every day and strive for excellence in all that you do. If you are working hard and looking for the reward, this usually creates a neediness that stops others from rewarding you. Rewards come to those who are humble and hungry — humble in that you are striving to learn, grow and improve every day, and hungry with a passion to be your best and bring out the best in others.
When you make excellence your focus, success and rewards are just a nice byproduct. The reward is in the work, not in the outcome.
Q: What about the advice to work smarter, not harder?
A: You definitely need to work smarter, too. But work smarter and harder. They go together. It’s true that by working smarter and being more productive with your time, you may not have to work as hard to enjoy your current level of success. But if you want to be more successful or rise to the top of your field, then “smarter, not harder” won’t do. Those who adopt the motto of working smarter, not harder, will eventually be left in the dust by the competition. The best are always striving to get better. They are always pushing themselves beyond their comfort zone. They are always innovating and improving.
Here’s the article online. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/344194/Career_Watch
Share your comments about this article on our blog here.
- Jon
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Tags: benefits of hard work, career watch, computer world, jamie eckle, jon gordon, success, training camp
5 Responses to “The Benefits of Hard Work”
By Bob Mc. on Nov 9, 2009
Jon - Right on the mark. As I like to say, luck is where preparation and opportunity meet. (ie. smart & hard work). On two different occasions,I won sales contests, without ever realizing I was in the running. As a salesperson, doing a good job for your customers (hopefully) leads to all of the benefits that follow.
Your comment that eventually they (your company)notice, is also true. In a salesperson’s world, that’s usually about the time the sale becomes an invoice. :-). Keep up the good work!!
By Travis G on Nov 9, 2009
I agree. Too many people want to be sold “work smarter, not harder” I now own my own restaurant due to working hard AND working smart. Hard work pays off in many, many ways! Thanks for sharing!
By John Watson on Nov 9, 2009
I’ve waited years to read a great article like this one which explains the relationship between working smart and working hard so clearly and positively.
It is a real pleasure to hear the word ‘work’ spoken of favourably once again. Thanks to both Jamie Eckle and Jon Gordon for a life changing article.
Best wishes
John Watson
By Joe Nowak on Nov 10, 2009
Why does work have to be hard? Why can’t work be joyful? Why all the focus on “hard” work? What does that mean? Most associate hard with difficult… almost as if they are not struggling, then they are not working hard enough… why all the focus on drudgery? Why not focus on “quality” work rather than “hard” work. When one calls work “hard”, what does that say about the person doing the work? It implies struggle. Life doesn’t have to be a struggle, its all in how you look at it.
By Mike Lee on Nov 19, 2009
Jon,
I just got done reading Training Camp and wrote a short review on our blog. I highly recommend it to high school and college coaches.
Thanks for all you do!