HARD WORK

I define 'hard work' as consistently doing what challenges you. As such, the quality is subject to individuality; what poses a challenge for one person may not for another. There is no absolute standard for a challenge that applies to everyone, though there are common themes. Some clarification is in order here, because while a game of chess is 'challenging,' it is not hard work. The challenge I refer to is that which forces an individual to push through when he would rather quit and one that makes him question his motives for undertaking the endeavor in the first place. This type of challenge is that which places significant physical and mental stress on the individual. These challenges come large and small, and will always originate from within. External stimuli trigger self-imposed stressors within an individual, causing that person to react in a self-defensive manner. Because these stressors are of our own design, they can be trained, tailored or eliminated entirely. The manipulation of subconscious behavioral patterns is a difficult and demanding mental process, one which requires the mastery of perhaps the most difficult mental challenge of all: exerting one's will over one's self. This ability is not innate, nor is it developed overnight. Experience is key here; experience full of hard work, self-criticism and exhaustive mental effort. Extreme challenges of a physical nature are substantially more difficult than those of a mental one, to the point where there is virtually no comparison. No one likes devoting a large portion of their time studying for a test on a subject they don't care about, but all it takes is a little discipline and mental focus and the job gets done. This is because our bodies are not stressed during this "challenge," and a bad test score as penalty for failure is hardly a motivational impetus. Contrast this with the challenge of moving a long distance over rough terrain with a heavy pack in extreme weather when you are completely exhausted, out of food, water and at the limits. Make death the penalty for failure and you have an unimaginably stressful challenge on your hands, one where working hard is not optional. Experience doing optional hard work however, is the key to being successful in such a situation.

When examining the feats of truly accomplished individuals, you will see many variables leading to their success. Right place or right time, good genetics or natural talent, opportunities seized or chances taken. The only common factor you will find between all of them is the willingness to work hard. The individual with the most potential is the one who refuses to quit because he's tired, or because he thinks he's done enough. He takes advantage, but does not take for granted. He makes the most of every experience, triumph or failure. He turns them into fuel to spur forward progress and continues to strive relentlessly toward perfection, refusing to settle for less. With a singularity of mind and purpose, he is willing to sacrifice as necessary in order to advance, understanding that he is in it for the long haul. He finds reasons to succeed instead of excuses to fail. This attitude blossoms conviction, and conviction is unstoppable. Pure conviction is next to extinct these days, but it is obvious when one comes across it. When confronted by conviction, most people will become confused and defensive. This is because true conviction makes people nervous. Understanding is lacking, and people are often quick to rationalize away the hard work and effort of the driven individual in a lame attempt to make their own aimless lives look better. Devoid of direction and unwilling to commit to the hard work it would take to pursue potential lofty goals and dreams, they settle for less and rapidly stagnate. This is no way to be, and a very unfulfilling way to go about life. For true and meaningful accomplishment, hard work is a necessity that cannot be avoided.

Hard work is a quality that is becoming increasingly rare, which is not all that surprising when you consider how it is developed. Hard work is a quality that is learned, whether through teachings; a parent's lesson and example, or by experience; down and dirty. In today's society, diligence is valued--one must be productive--but true hard work is to be avoided at all costs. This is because hard work hurts, and places stress on the mind and body. This trend is beyond self-evident, and has gotten far out of control. As I write this, I am sitting at an airport, observing. As a grown man walks by me rolling a whopping ten pound suitcase and munching on McDonald's, I wonder how he expects anyone to take him seriously. I watch an overweight couple cruise by in a handicap transport cart, as if their diet and lifestyle deserve them a sympathetic free ride. God forbid they burn a few calories walking to their gate; that might require them to do 'hard work.' In disbelief I watch on as dozens and dozens of people avoid an expansive staircase like the plague and instead opt to get in line for the cramped escalators on either side of this spacious staircase. Sometimes I wonder if there is any hope for our society at all. This attitude and trend of excessive leisure is poison, and mark my words when I tell you that the quick and easy shortcut will NOT take you the distance. To master great things one must first master the simple things; discipline in one's daily life is as essential as breathing. The magnitude of one's success in any meaningful endeavor is directly related to the passion and effort with which it is pursued. To put it more bluntly, you get out of life what you put into it. Any reward gained from accomplishment attained without sacrifice is necessarily brief and shallow. Instant gratification is just as it says, and lasts for just as long. The word "gratification" is deceptive in that sense, as it certainly does not leave you satisfied. A better word for "instant" might also be "meaningless." When you discipline yourself to do what is hard, you gain access to a realm of results that are denied everyone else. The reward lasts much longer and is far more fulfilling.

Hard work is the result of discipline, conviction and the full application of the heart. Total focus and intensity are assumed. If you are just putting the time in or simply going through the motions, you are not working hard. Hard work is infinite; it is a life-long journey instead of a goal. If you persistently work hard at something, you will inevitably become better at it. At some point what was once hard will become manageable or even easy. At this time one must increase resistance, repetitions, distance or whatever in order to again make the work hard to inspire meaningful improvement. With respect to the pursuit of athletic excellence, overtraining and injury are common in the super-motivated individual, as he struggles to balance his intensity with the physiological limitations of the human body. It is paramount to note here that the commonly perceived human limitations are terribly inaccurate and grossly underestimated. The body can do ten times more work than the mind thinks it can, and only through an aggressive mindset and hardcore training and experience can this powerful potential be tapped into. It all starts by working hard. In the end, a lifetime of shortcuts, quick fixes and half-hearted efforts will leave one sorely disappointed. In order for success to be realized and goals to be accomplished, hard work is a necessity, and its importance cannot be overstated.