There was a great question on Linkedin, the internet networking site, from Chris Barton last week. He asked “Do you believe that people must work hard to become successful”
This really got me thinking and two things immediately sprang to mind. Firstly the words “work hard”.
Crikey – who wants to work hard? Yes – to be successful – it is about putting in the hours, having energy, be clear on your goals and then take action.
To me, Work Hard = A Slog; it sounds like using a lot of energy for little gain, it looks tiring, a real drag, like walking through treacle. Should work be hard? Are you working hard? What if you were working easy? Working with enjoyment? What if you were using your innate talents and doing something that you are passionate about and love? Would work seem hard?
Many of my clients that were in careers that seemed like hard work are now in careers that they love – it makes work easy when you are doing something you are naturally good at and enjoy. Imagine each day feeling energised and excited about working – would that seem like hard work? I think not. Work smart – now that’s different. Work smart with passion – even better.
I used to think that writing was hard work – now I have fun writing, I get the same results – ah – actually I am writing more now that I think writing is fun – I used to procrastinate when I thought it was ”hard work”. What work is hard for you that, by changing the way you think of it, you could enjoy it instead?
Secondly – “become successful”
As Albert Schweitzer said “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
It is really important to understand what success means to you. (not what anyone else things). I remember exploring what success meant with one of my client who was setting up her own personal training business. For her – it was all about having a well rounded life where she was successfully using her time; time with her clients, her family, her friends, time for herself. She is hugely successful.
Success is about understanding what motivates us and what we value and to achieve success, it’s then being confident to take action to reach our success. We all have different motivating factors – This could be about having influence within the organisation to achieve the strategic direction; it could be about achievement – being challenged. Or making a difference to someone’s life – we all have our own criteria of success – it’s just that often we don’t realise what it means to us.
So back to the question “Do you believe that people must work hard to become successful” Nah!
I do believe that people who work with passion, energy, high motivation and with a determination to achieve clear goals become successful….And how about you?
Do feel free to have a look at the rest of the website to see how Glows Coaching can help you become more successful without working hard.
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