When has it not payed off for you?

I'm now trying to work 'smart', and not 'hard'.

Too many times where I've done a very good job on something, only to see the next person spend considerably less time, and looks to be done as well as mine.

For example, when I referee soccer, I was really into it, but there were all these ###### coaches yelling at me, and I became rather discouraged. More like a 'whatever, I just want my money' attitude now.

This is BC. Put hard work on the back burner and focus on bag licking, nepotism, networking, lying, cheating and stealing. These are the techniques one needs to succeed here.

Well I wouldn't go quite as far as Bo but in my place of work its who you know who get the plum jobs. Very discouraging to those of us who work hard

Yup its who you know and not what you know. Sad really. Attention: REGISTER / LOGIN to view the image!

Yep it really is... I wish there was a way around it. Without being too specific we have 1 manager who phones in sick lots, when she is there shes always complaing that she feels yucky or is talkng about where shes going to go for food but they don't do anything because her manager is also the one that hired her and they go out all the time not romantically but socially. I just shake my head

Some people, smart people, worked very hard to get a good education which in turn enabled them to get a decent paying job involving some responsibility. Foremost among these responsibilities is overseeing whining losers who partied, drank, smoked dope and generally ###### away their late teens and early to mid twenties. Congratulations! You ###### up and are going to pay for it for the rest of your lives. Ha!

In general doesn't

HARD WORK = SUCCESS??

Generally yes, but not always. Working hard in dead end jobs with no chance what so ever of advancement is just plain stupid. People in that situation really need a little counselling to reassess their options. There are in fact MANY people in that sort of situation.

Can you please define SUCCESS ?

There are alot of people who work hard that appear to be "SUCCESSful" on the outside, but are not really feeling very happy.

The example that comes to mind is the woman who makes $250k a year as a lawyer. But she is always in court, stressed out and generally not ever just truly being a human. To me, the loss of self is not worth any amount of material rewards.

In order of increasing preference,, I think you can:

1- work hard at something you don't truly enjoy (yuck!)

2-NOT work hard at something you don't truly enjoy (mediocre)

3- work hard at something you love (Excellent !)

Unless there is a very "real" reward for busting your arse, I wouldn't trade my day-to-day being for a gruelling work day.

The nice thing about Vancouver is we are more "work to live" than "live to work"

I should add that I have no kids yet, so nobody depends on me.

Oh really? I couldnt get a job with a post grad education and not smoking dope. Now I smoke dope, employ others and make more money than any jobs I ever applied for.

I do think hard work pays off if you have a long term plan!!! that is where some people go wrong. I know many people that have gone to university, gone in debt to pay for their education and still do not have a job because they have not figured out "what they want to be when they grow up" Attention: REGISTER / LOGIN to view the image!
ON the other hand if you know what you want and strive for that outcome, chances are yes you will be successful in what you do.

Hard work only pays off if you are working for yourself. People need to realize that in the eyes of an employer, you are only worth as much as what it will cost to replace you. If they can get someone to do the same work for less, pack up your stuff 'cuz you're going to be let go.

where I work, the people who get the biggest raises are the backstabebrs and suckups.

Let me guess, you got a graduate degree in some field for which is there is no demand. Brilliant!

MBA

I would agree that this is true for unskilled workers. If you have a coveted skill, you can get a fair price.

I get roughly 2/3 thirds of my billing rate into my pocket. And don't have to deal with any of the business-running stresses my boss does. The trade off is there for me.

MBA = $40,000 plus lost salary and time which could better be spent reading business books and investing into your won business ideas.

Unless you have a strong desire to wh0re yourself to corporate p1mps.

Careful you don't work so hard that you don't get to enjoy life and the people around you. You'll miss out on lots and one day God forbid you may get sick and the only people that will be there for you is family. People you work with don't give a crap, boss etc. I've seen it happen.... to my Mom. Attention: REGISTER / LOGIN to view the image!

Yes, I found that out. Much better and much more lucrative being self-employed.

At least you can look at yourself in the morning with a clear conscience.

But I do understand feeling discouraged. However, I'm sure you have other great things going on in your life.

Hard work does pay off you just have to stick with it and gain momentum if you dont stick with it your hard work is then lost and nothing you have worked for seems as if it will ever pay off. Do you have to lie, cheat, and steal, NO because I have done this and it will only catch up with you in the end, then you will fail miserably from no hard work and cutting corners. HARD WORK ALWAYS PAYS OFF with enough time and pressure.

Does hard work pay off? Yes! But it depends on how you define working hard. Is working hard = spending 10 hours a day at work? Or involved in some back breaking intensive labour? Yes, that is hard work... but that is also not what I'm talking about.

I think hard work involves you being productive, providing quality work, and also looking for means to further educate yourself in your field, which may include reading books or taking night classes.

For example, you can a admin person. Your job involves photocopying and filing. You can photocopy your ass off and make sure all the work is done days ahead of when it's due... yes that's hard work.... but does that bring you to the next level? Probably not. So how about taking some classes in say... Business or Accounting? Hmm.. then now you can transfer to a different department. Now you have an opportunity to move up even further. You do a good job, and ask for more responsibilities. Eventually you will get to where you want to be.

So for me hard work is:
1)get things done on time
2)get things done right the first time
3)take some courses in your field
4)network with people in your field & your superiors
5)ask for more responsibilities
6)repeat 1-5

you have to work hard and work smart

I know lot of people they work really hard in life but not smart

Sometimes I feel like I get nowhere with hard work. Specifically through my experiences in grad school.

I think it's more of a lesson in endurance and ego-shattering, than actually learning about your field. Basicially you work your butt off on papers, etc. and they get ripped apart by your supervisor and and other academics. But I guess this is part of the process...haha

Truth is, I need my MA to get to where I want to be. I don't want to be an academic forever (oh god no). Based on my own experiences, I find many academics to be so incredibly competitive (fighting for tenure, etc.), and many are out of touch with reality. Many are totally stressed out with the demands to teach, do research, help students, public, supervise grad students, etc. etc.

BUT, I'm currently working a job that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE. I wouldn't have gotten this job if I didn't do my MA (which I'm still completing). It's a permanent position and I feel totally grateful.

So I guess in the end, hard work does pay off...even if you may not see it right away! Attention: REGISTER / LOGIN to view the image!

I think the best piece of advice, as many have said in this forum, is do what you love! Life is fabulous when you wake up in the morning and are happy to go to work. If you do what you love, you will naturally work hard because you are invested in it! Life's too short to spend it doing something you hate. Figure out what it is that you're passionate about...take hold of your life and move toward that goal!

But remember...the path to get there is just as important.

Just ask yourself, "what would a Chinese person do", let that be your guide. You'll never go wrong.

no, not true. what holds in Asia may not work here.

you have to work 'smart' here. or at least fake the part. the onus is more on EQ, what impression comes across than really what you actually know - IQ.

the keyword to keep in mind is *packaging*.

for Med school applications ... the buzz is - only half of the consideration is good grades, the other 50% is impressive community involvment or outside achievements (which can be a lot of bullsh*t, depending on what entworking and ocnnections you have).

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