How do you define Hard Work?

[Imallatsea]

I am not well with a long term illness which has different unpleasant off shoots, but I feel like I work really damn hard just to stay as functional as I do. I can generally work part time, but am not at the moment. But the things that are for me, working hard, are not for others. Managing a day at work (normal, not longhorns or physically active) plus then shoving something in the oven for dinner, is a massive triumph for me. Rather than eating crackers and cheese, because sometimes that's all I can manage to do whether working or not.

I suppose I am wondering about this because I have just started a new medication which is having a great affect on my pain levels. It has me wondering about the future - if I will have more energy and more choice over putting long hours into things that I'm excited about ie career.

Hard work is mentioned again and again as something you need to do to succeed, but what does that look like to most people? What is the definition of hard work to you?

Is it something you measure mainly by output or productivity? So take someone who works long hours, and gets a lot accomplished, because they are good at the tasks involved. If they have a colleague who works the same hours, but doesn't get as much done (and not because they're pissing about on purpose!) do you think the second person isn't as hard a worker as the first?

Or how do you measure hard work?

Long hours, not longhorns!

I would say in the scenario you're talking about hard work is about effort rather than output. But I would say success is also defined by output (quantity and/or quality) which can be linked to natural ability. So the most successful people probably have maximum natural ability but combine with maximum effort. Equally it is possible to be successful with high levels of one or the other (eg someone with high ability may put in low effort and achieve the same as someone with low ability who puts in high effort, the high ability person probably has it more within their gift to increase successfulness but the high effort person would be more valued as a team member)

Wonder if you are posting because/due to election?
As you have a long term illness it can be difficult to measure every day.
How would you measure your work each day?

I would say in the scenario you're talking about hard work is about effort rather than output. But I would say success is also defined by output (quantity and/or quality) which can be linked to natural ability.

Yes, there is a distinction between effort and output. And like you say most successful people have a varying combination of good natural ability AND max effort.

My definition of hard work : Working 80+
hour weeks running a 150 cover city centre restaurant & bar which trades for 14 hours a day every day. December is worst, when the place is rammed out with Christmas parties all bloody month.

Hospitality management is an absolute nightmare, and the pay is crap which is why I left after five very long years.

Hard work is something that is mentally or physically taxing, and will vary from person to person. It is not necesserily something you can judge on output alone. Hoovering the lounge may not seem hard woork but that alone could ut my oh out for the ret of the day.

@lynxca16 No I am not posting about the election, this is my life situation and thinking about the bigger picture. Nobody likes to be thought of as a low achiever but I have to face it that on the outside that's what people see when they look at me. It's hard.

I am not working at all at the moment. I am very hopeful by how well I have responded to this new drug and how that's going to help when I get back to work. Because I tend towards beating myself up a lot for how crap I am compared to other colleagues, though trying not to do that. It doesn't help the situation.

Work as hard as you are able at the moment.
Be the best you can be in your life, as it is.

I start work and finish work on the dot - not a minute on the day. I go in, keep my head down, deliver the goods and I get the hell out. It's not physically demanding but it's intellectually challenging, but it's my idea of hard work. I'm an over achiever because I set these boundaries and not because I work crazy hours every week.

Totally disagree with the myth that you have to work hard to achieve well..... not sure that’s the point of this thread though

Hard work really depends on the person and your capabilities. I suppose objectively working all the hours God sends is hard work but I have friends who love what they do,it wouldn't be for me. I know others who work in palliative care and I think what they do is phenomenal, again I could never do it.

I think in your situation don't compare yourself to Michelle Obama, just do the best you can and take pride in the process. That is a massive achievement. Plus remember you don't see the down side of 'high achievers' lives

I see hard work as composed of a few factors:

1. Long hours. If you aren’t routinely doing 12 hour days, you’re not working hard.
2. Growth, you must be continuing to develop your skills and learning new ones, if you aren’t then you’re just working a lot, not working hard.
3. Challenge, you must be challenged by what you do (whether that is by moving outside your comfort zone, doing tasks above your skill level, struggling to balance life and work etc).
4. Risk, you are either taking on responsibility or risking your financial stability through financial investment, investing time (e.g. studying for a profession), turning down other opportunities (e.g. turning down a well paid job to start your own business) etc.

If you don’t work hard that’s fine, I think most people wouldn’t given the option, but it’s annoying to hear people who work 9-5 no responsibility jobs banging on about how hard they work.

I should point out that I don’t work hard all the time. I really don’t judge people for not working hard, most people don’t. You really don’t have to work hard if you can’t.