Every generation is told to 'work hard and it will pay off.' Nobody tells you the real question: hard work compared to what?

Artificial Intelligence

Dolapo Oyatomi Nigeria

Every generation is told to 'work hard and it will pay off.' Nobody tells you the real question: hard work compared to what? A person working 60 hours a week in the wrong direction will lose to someone working 20 hours a week in the right one, every time. So why does almost every school, company, and parent still measure effort instead of direction? Is this an accident, or is it easier to control people who believe hard work alone is the answer?

Posted: Aug 17, 2026 4:07 AM (Updated by moderator: Aug 17, 2026 8:55 AM)

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Michael King

Community Champion

Senior IS Project Manager| Baycare Health Systems Clearwater, Fl, United States

Dolapo - my view is the advice is meant that after school you need to get a full time job. You do not need to work 80 hours a week, but you should work 40+ hours and give it your best effort. If the first job does to meet your needs, you should find a new opportunity (job) that pays more, provides better experience, and or is more aligned with your career goals. By showing up every day, and providing good effort into your work, you will succeed.

When compared to people that do not work to find a job, or do not apply themselves on their work, or only do the minimum required, and you will see that you will come out on top.

Posted: Aug 17, 2026 10:01 AM

Lissette Indhira Pimentel Sosa

Community Champion

Program Manager| HARPER SRL Santo Domingo / Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic

I don’t think hard work alone guarantees results. Direction, priorities, and knowing when to change course matter just as much. In projects we see this all the time: a team can be extremely busy and still make very little progress if the effort is focused on the wrong things.

Posted: Aug 21, 2026 12:47 PM

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Every generation is told to 'work hard and it will pay off.' Nobody tells you the real question: hard work compared to what?

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