If you want to know the secret to success, here it is: hard work and self-discipline. If it was easy to succeed, everyone would do it. Contrary to what some may think, people don’t become successful by accident. You don’t have a great career by chance, or a stroke of good luck or even an innate ability. While having good luck and talent may help, they are the exception, not the rule. Here we will go over some of the ways you can create and build upon a culture of hard work that will have an impact on your professional life as well as your personal life.
Why Hard Work Matters:
It builds discipline and focus. Self-discipline can be defined as having control over your emotions and behavior, but it also includes control over your impulses, energy, time, and health. This is not something you gain overnight; it takes practice. You have to make self-discipline a habit. Set goals, make a plan, repeat.
It creates opportunities. Working hard toward your future success means we must focus on long-term fulfillment of our goals. This means we’ll often have to forgo the instant gratification that has become so commonplace in today’s world. When you build a reputation as a hard, disciplined worker, you open yourself up to new possibilities as your employer will see your potential.
If you’re not the kind of person who is inherently motivated, it’s ok. Most people have to learn how to be disciplined workers. Here are some ways to make small changes to increase your productivity without being overwhelmed. Making the effort now will almost assuredly bring later success.
- Create a plan. Know what goals you want to achieve and figure out how to achieve them, then stick to that plan. We’re going to fail at things; it’s in our nature. Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Persistence is the key to success.
- Identify the areas where you struggle: Are you someone who has trouble finishing what you start? Do you talk yourself out of making changes for fear of failure or difficulty? Figure out what is holding you back and figure out a plan to overcome those challenges.
- Write things down and set reminders. How many times have you known that you had something you were supposed to do and you don’t remember it so you just do nothing instead? When you’re starting a new routine, it’s not yet a habit; being organized can help you from getting distracted.
- Set small, achievable goals: Small, regular wins will help keep you motivated and those successes will gradually build to something greater.
- Learn from failures and setbacks. See the opportunity in failure, find a different way forward, and try again.
- Find a support network. There are always people out there who can help you: your coworkers, friends, mentors. Find someone who has achieved what you strive to and pick their brain.
Now that we’ve explored the potential of hard work and discipline and how to achieve it, let’s briefly explore the antithesis to success: laziness. Laziness at work can manifest in the following ways.
Consistent Tardiness and Absenteeism – Frequently calling in sick or for other dubious reasons shows a lack of commitment to your work. It sends a message to your employer that being reliable is not important to you.
Lack of Proactivity and Initiative – This includes inaction or waiting to be told what to do instead of working to find solutions to problems. Adaptability and problem-solving puts you on a higher level.
Making Excuses and Shifting the Blame – Not accepting responsibility for failures and blaming coworkers or external factors.
Minimal Effort/Output and Avoidance of Additional Responsibilities – Poor quality of work, frequent mistakes, a lack of effort and performing at the “bare minimum.” Just getting by with no attempt to go above and beyond or help others to complete tasks. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Always remember that everyone else in the organization is pulled down if you don’t pull your weight.
Excessive Breaks and Wasted Time – Poor management skills and a lack of motivation can be a couple of reasons for this. Another could be a lack of regard for the well-being of your employer. Keep in mind that if the company isn’t doing well financially, they many not have a need for you.
Hard work and discipline are integral to your personal success as well as the success of the company. Your achievements help you build skills, self-confidence, and resilience. Hard workers have a greater sense of pride and personal responsibility and have greater potential for self-improvement. MK is always here to help you achieve your career goals.
