Most people would agree that working hard is generally good. There are a lot of advantages to working hard including getting ahead, putting yourself in position to grow your business, jumping up the pay scale, etc. There comes a time though where we have to ask the question of why we’re working so hard.
Why Ask This Question?
Every so often you have to take a step back and ask yourself why. Why are you doing what you’re doing? Are you on the right track? Working hard for an indefinite period of time without a plan is a recipe for burnout.
Here are some questions to think about in relation to why you are working so hard. To be clear, this is not a knock on hard work, but an introspection into the “why.”
Number 1: Do I Have a Clear Purpose?
Is there a clear purpose/reason to be working hard? Are you:
- Trying to get a business off the ground?
- Attempting to pay off debt in a short amount of time?
- Saving up to buy a house or other big purchase?
- Getting your investments on the right track by jump-starting compounding?
If there is a clear purpose like in the examples above, it makes a lot of sense to put the time and effort into working hard. Getting something off the ground like a new business requires hard work and effort.
Even if you’re setting up systems and hiring people, that still requires massive time and effort.
If you don’t have a clear purpose for working hard, it might be time to reassess. That doesn’t mean to stop working hard, it just means to think about it and decide what direction you want to go.
Related: Top 5 Reasons To Do It Now
Number 2: Am I Doing It Just Because I’ve Always Done It That Way?
As the days, weeks, months, and years go by we get on autopilot. Especially when things seem to be working, it’s easy and comfortable to keep doing the same thing over and over. Why fix what isn’t broken, right?
Well, maybe it’s not necessarily broken, but not working as efficiently as it should be. There’s always room for improvement. It’s easy to keep doing things the way you always have but part of life is growing and continuously improving.
Taking a step back and looking at if you’re doing something just because you’ve always done it that way is a healthy approach to life. You might decide that the way you’ve always done it is the right way and you’re going to keep doing it.
Or you might decide that you’re a little off course and need to correct. Either way, you’re asking the question and making improvements.
Number 3: What’s My End Game?
Endless amounts of hard work just for the heck of it isn’t a strategy or a plan. You’ve got to ask yourself about the end game. Why are you doing what you’re doing, what is the plan, the desired process and result?
I don’t want to underestimate the impact of the process. I’m a big believer in the process and much of the joy coming from the process. To quote Earl Nightingale, “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal.”
The process itself is a reward. That is, if you are intentional about it and want that to be the reward. The key is that you have to be aware of this reward–it can’t just be for the heck of it. You’ve got to be intentional about it.
Number 4: What Would Happen If I Slowed Down?
Here’s a great question that can be very challenging to answer. What would happen if I slowed down?
Would you be bored and left without a purpose? Is there a chance you could feel that you’re becoming irrelevant? Would you feel like you’re not providing value anymore?
Or conversely, and on the less scary side:
- Could slowing down free up more time to do the things I really wanted to do?
- Is there a chance I could get more time with my family?
- Will it allow me to take that trip I’ve always been wanting to, but never had enough time for?
- Might I have added time to do more productive things?
Slowing down may or may not be right for you. What is right for everyone though is asking the right questions and exploring options. Then making a decision.
Number 5: Is There Another Way?
Is there another way than working so hard? Or a more in depth question would be: Do I want there to be another way? It’s worth asking and exploring.
For example, if you’re working hard and putting in 60-70 hour weeks, is there another way? Could you work 10 less hours each week and hire out tasks that don’t have to be done by you?
Are there certain tasks that aren’t that productive that you can flat out eliminate? That alone could free up 10 hours per week or more.
Number 6: Can I Become More Efficient?
I believe that people can always get better. A successful parent can find ways to get a little better. An elite NFL quarterback completing 75 percent of his passes can get a little more accurate and make better decisions. A great teacher can improve their teaching methods and classroom management.
The ability to get better and become more efficient is a powerful concept and gives us hope for the present and future. Finding ways to get better is one of the greatest challenges and gifts life has to offer.
If you’re working hard and in the grind, how can you become more efficient? What can you cut out of your day? Are there things you could double down on and make your life less busy?
Conclusion
Challenges are great. It’s what keeps us going and gives us a purpose. It takes hard work to overcome challenges.
Working hard year after year just for the heck of it isn’t something we have to do though. Hard work should be done with a purpose and an end goal in mind, even if that goal is in the process.
Are you working the optimal amount or are there some things you’d like to adjust?
