Why "hard work" is not the factor that guarantees success in business

We have all heard the phrase "hard work pays off," but does it?

For some, sure, for others, no.

But there are lots of successful people out there or the Kim Kardashian's of the world preaching that with a little hard work, you can reach your dreams.

When asked about their secrets they'll say "I just worked hard and most people aren't willing to do that."

But here's the thing... I believe most people are, will and do do that. Most people work hard.

Single mothers work incredibly hard to take care of their children, university students who want to get into med school work incredibly hard to get good grades, new entrepreneurs work incredibly hard to build their businesses and make a living from them.

So what makes the difference between the single mom who works and barely makes it through versus the one who excels, or the student who gets the top grades and gets into the best med program or the entrepreneur who hits it big and the one whose business flops?

Is it hard work?

I don't think it is.

If it was, then with a little hard work all of us would be millionaires on fancy yacht's but that's clearly not the case, is it?

So, why doesn't working hard guarantee success, especially in business?

1. Everyones starting point is not the same 

No offence Kim, but how hard you had to work versus someone who started completely broke and in debt with no formal skills is not the same.

People who have to pull themselves out of poverty and overcome racism, sexism or any number of isms and phobias need to put in a heck of a lot more work and effort and jump through a million more hoops than those who have a head start.

Think of it like this: Three kids are having a race. Each kid has the same amount of talent, drive and passion for running. But all three kids have different starting points. One child was allowed to start at the 100m mark and only had to run 100m to the finish line, the second child started at the start line and had to run 200m to the finish line and the third child had to start well back from the finish line, 400m to the end (and so already had to run 200m before they could start the race).

If all children put in the same amount of effort which child will win the race? I don't think we need to contemplate it for very long.

If you're struggling I invite you to look at how far you've come. Your starting point is not the same as someone else's. It's more important to look at the progress you've made to get to where you are.

2. Everyone has different boosts in life

Not only do people not have the same starting point but they also don't have the same leg ups, supports or boosts in life.

Imagine playing a video, let's say we are playing Mario Kart. Everyone starts together but the power-ups and boosters you get are different. Now let's imagine that other entities chose who got access to certain power-ups. Is the game still fair? No.

Lots of things in life either help push us forward or force us backwards. We can be working just as hard as the next person and still not "make it."

Remember, if you're running next to someone and trying to keep up with them and their progress they might have different boosts than you. This can either be from an external source or something innate to them (eg. personality, genetics, etc.).

3. Everyone has different talents

Everyone has different talents. Often we go after things based on the talents we possess. But we can also become passionate and work towards something without innate talent and become talented at it. But not without some grunt work.

Two different people with the same passion and dedication but different talents can put in the same level of hard work and reach the end at very different times. Take my sister and me as an example. We both liked school and worked extremely hard to get good grades. But I had an undiagnosed learning disability and my sister was naturally incredibly smart. She was amazing. We both worked very hard to reach our goals but she was able to get there quicker with higher results than I did because of her natural talent for academics.

It's not to say I was slower because I didn't work as hard, in fact, because I had so much to make up for I might have even worked harder, simply because I had to. Now, this isn't to say I didn't have any talents. I was fairly inclined toward athletics. I wouldn't say I was naturally the best but I had a head for sports (and still do).

If you feel like you have a passion for something, you love your business but you're watching others excel easily while you struggle through just remember you have lots of talents and anyone can become talented. I did, with long days, lots of practice, dedication, hard work and all kinds of strategies get good grades and go to university.

Here's the thing. Yes, I think hard work is important but I also do not think it is the only relevant factor. I don't think it's effective to walk around saying things like "my success is from hard work, the kind of hard work that most people aren't willing to do."

That's just not the whole picture. 

So, if you're struggling to get your business to a viable state or get yourself to the next level and the world is telling you "all you have to do is work hard," remember this, you are working hard, you are doing what most people aren't willing to do and your timing is your own. Would it be nice to get there a little quicker, of course, but you are doing an amazing job and it's coming.