I'm not sure who actually coined the term "hard work pays off" but 5x CrossFit Games Champion Mat Fraser definitely popularized the saying. Fraser was known for having an insane work ethic and taking himself to a painful place during training that few people are willing to go. Muhammad Ali said, "I hated every minute of training, but I said 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion."
Once someone reaches success people think they are an overnight success but aren't paying attention to the fact that the successful individual put in years of hard work and fought for every victory. People see couples with a successful marriage and think "must be nice." I guarantee every couple with a great marriage has worked diligently to get to that point. Kobe Bryant said, "Confidence comes from preparation." In high school Bryant would get up at 5am to be at the gym before school, then would shoot at lunch, practice after school, and then watch film in the evenings. It was not by accident that he became great.
None of us are going to be the next Kobe Bryant... but why not aim for greatness in our relationships, career, and fitness? What if we started treating each day like we wanted to be great? Most likely, we are all lacking in a certain area not because we are unfortunate but because we haven't put in the work.
This isn't to sound boastful but to make a point, I have an awesome marriage and have maintained a high level of fitness because I have fought for those. (shoutout to my wife for being awesome). But I have massively underperformed professionally and financially. Have I had a string of bad luck? Nope. I haven't put in enough consistent, focused hard work on achieving professionally. I have had success in marriage and my personal fitness because I work at those facets of my life daily and they're what is most important to me.
I will start putting the same level of work into forwarding my career and building wealth. Make a plan. Stay consistent. Don't quit.
What are you going to start working harder towards?
Do the Hard Work,
-Ben
I am writing an article every day for 30 days! Check out yesterday's article on Pull-Ups: The King of Upper Body Exercises!
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