"Successfull people have to work like crazy and give up the best things in life"

[seeker5]

I have this belief that successful people have to work like crazy and very hard in order to be successful, and therefore, give up one of the most important things about being human which is spending nice loving time with their loved ones as well as their friends, as well as give up alone time to deeply think about whatever they want to think.

I know that logically, it's probably not true. However, in my own life, when I think of ok I'll be successful career wise, or I go for this huge big goal, I immediately think of being super-busy, and super-focused. I can do that for a little bit, but then I get out of whack. I know that lifestyle doesn't jibe at all with having a life where I get to spend a lot of time with those that I care about, and with my friends, as well as having a lot of alone time to relax and do enjoyable fun things and think deep thoughts.

So, I think this belief is getting in the way and I'd like to dispel it.

[ssandra]

I think that before you can think about the believe you will first have to define what successfull means to you.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by seeker5

So, I think this belief is getting in the way and I'd like to dispel it.

Ah, good. So dispel it.

I'm very successful and I most definitely object to working very hard or like crazy.

[KtotheB]

I'm very successful too and I do not work hard. I believe in ease & grace

[aelle]

It's funny that your definition of "success" excludes success in one's personal life... How about adopting a more inclusive definition?

[Daffy Duck]

Ironically enough, this is how I would define an Unsuccessful person: Someone who works like crazy and gives up the best things in life.

It is true that to create amazing things (in a short amount of time) can require a lot of focus and work. But that work can be enjoyable, it doesn't have to be crazy. And if you're really interested in what you're doing, the focus can come naturally. But we all have our off days, where it's hard to focus on even the most interesting of work. That's okay, just steer back on course when ready.

[Kprime]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

Ah, good. So dispel it.

I'm very successful and I most definitely object to working very hard or like crazy.

Wow! That's more like it!

I also believe that one doesn't have to work like a horse just to be very successful. I think it's about maximizing your talents and skills so you become more focused and you get results faster.

It's also about leveraging your time, skills and effort and being able to duplicate yourself in the process so even if you're relaxing or vacationing, you are still earning residual income.

[jamesbiz]

Originally Posted by Daffy Duck

Ironically enough, this is how I would define an Unsuccessful person: Someone who works like crazy and gives up the best things in life.

It is true that to create amazing things (in a short amount of time) can require a lot of focus and work. But that work can be enjoyable, it doesn't have to be crazy. And if you're really interested in what you're doing, the focus can come naturally. But we all have our off days, where it's hard to focus on even the most interesting of work. That's okay, just steer back on course when ready.

Some people will look at most of the people on this board as crazy ( and honestly I lot of them are ) but you don't know what or how they feel. Some people thrive on those types of lives. Look at the people who are special forces most of their lives? Can you imagine living that life? NO! But they do, and they love what they enjoy. You can't put a blanket statement that no one who works like crazy is not only giving up the best things in life, but is unsuccessful. That's very close minded. Who's to say that the things YOU consider the best things in life, are the same as theirs? Since when does everyone like the same things?

[martinogg]

seeker5, what would you like to do?

martin

[Daffy Duck]

Jamesbiz, your reply to me is assuming that I have determined what is crazy or best in life for everybody. I never said I did. So your whole reply doesn't really make sense and is built on your assumption.

Only you can determine what is best for you. But if you give that up, then are you being successful? If you love to be happy and you give it up, are you successful? If you love spending time with family and you give that up, are you successful?

That's not how I define successful. That's not close-minded, it's just making a definition. If you don't like my definition, then go make up your own.

Originally Posted by jamesbiz

Since when does everyone like the same things?

Well, by definition, everyone likes being happy.

[90802]

I know exactly what you mean. I have it in my head (and I need to get it out of there) that in order to be really successful, I need to be working all the time. So, if I'm not working at something all the time, I feel bad, then get depressed. I get depressed, then I don't want to do a damn thing. So the cycle goes.

Yeah, I need a good way to get off this merry go round. Anyone have any positive beliefs to spare?

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by 90802

Yeah, I need a good way to get off this merry go round. Anyone have any positive beliefs to spare?

Sure.

There are many different ways to be successful. Hard work is only one of them. You should take some time to experiment with different approaches and see what works for you.

For example, instead of working hard, why not find some ways to cut down the workload? This could involve reviewing & streamlining procedures; or getting a technological upgrade; or simply refraining from doing the unnecessary; or organising yourself better such that the tools, information and other resources you need are easily available.

[Knk]

I think it all depends on each individual person and what exactly makes them happy. We can all cope with different levels of stress, workloads and chaos. Some of us thrive on the craziness and others despise it.

I can say from personal experience that success does sometimes come with a price. When I was younger, my parents worked like crazy. They had a successful business, but they were so intent on creating more and more success that they begin to sacrifice some of the really important things in life - such as spending time with family. Now that the business is more established, they have much more time to relax and enjoy themselves.

Success doesn't always have to mean sacrificing your lifestyle. In fact, many people only work 4 -5 hours a day but have accumulated millions and millions of dollars.

If you want to become successful, you should ask yourself three questions.

1.How do I want to become successful?
2.Will you have to sacrifice your lifestyle to achieve it and for how long?
3.Am I willing to give up a lot of the things I currently value in life?

If you're heading down a path that's leading towards success and if that path means working 12 hour days, always being stressed, not having time for the family then take my word for it - Don't do it!!

You don't necessarily have to take the path of least resistance, but sometimes the path of lesser resistence isn't so bad.

My main goal in life is to enjoy myself - I only have one and I don't want to waste it.

[garentee]

It depends what you are doing. Success to me is enjoying what you do and being paid to do it. i do work very hard at raising high quality vegetables in a short growing season. So there are things that I do give up in order to be successful with what I do. That said though I fully enjoy what I do and give a lot of people a great culinary experience with the food that I produce... At any point in your path it is possible to change what you are doing if you find it is not bearing fruit. At the end of this growing season I am closing my business and moving on to a different aspect of agriculture.... I do not feel that I am doing this because I am unsuccessful...

[Orecle]

Originally Posted by seeker5

I have this belief that successful people have to work like crazy and very hard in order to be successful, and therefore, give up one of the most important things about being human which is spending nice loving time with their loved ones as well as their friends, as well as give up alone time to deeply think about whatever they want to think.

I know that logically, it's probably not true. However, in my own life, when I think of ok I'll be successful career wise, or I go for this huge big goal, I immediately think of being super-busy, and super-focused. I can do that for a little bit, but then I get out of whack. I know that lifestyle doesn't jibe at all with having a life where I get to spend a lot of time with those that I care about, and with my friends, as well as having a lot of alone time to relax and do enjoyable fun things and think deep thoughts.

So, I think this belief is getting in the way and I'd like to dispel it.

If we are talking business or financial success. i have to agree. I will bet for a fact that in this world the most successful business people, students, doctors, lawyers, engineers you name it worked longer hrs than most.

even Brian tracy and few other PD speakers talk about working more than mostand putting in the hours to get to the top. I think once you are at top, you can taper down. but to get to the top in most fields and in academics, you have to put in the hrs.

Thomas edison says he was happy the 8hr workday hadnt been invented wneh he was young, cos he would not have been successful. he also said that the american pioneers wouldnt have done the same with that mentality

YOU HAVE TO WORK YOUR SOCKS OFF COS YOUR COMPETITION PROBABLY IS. Look at steves story on how he passed in 3 semesters. he worked his socks off more than his peers.

I DO NOT BELEIVE ANYONE CAN BE 1ST CLASS WITHOUT HARD WORK.

The best in the world at anything put in the hours when 1st starting out.


THE REAL QUESTION IS

ARE YOU WILLING TO PUT IN THE HRS TO FULFILL YOUR PURPOSE TO THE FULLEST. If your purpose requires 16hr days for the next 5 - 10yrs, are you willing to do it.

Steve did wat ever it took, to get his degree in 3 semesters

Will you do the same for your purpose?

[StuartPE]

Sometimes you have to make sacrifies with your time. But if you spend this time getting good at what you love, you're not wasting it, and you're preparing yourself for a better future.

Remember that it takes 10,000 hours to become a real expert at anything. This figure has been statistically measured by analysing Bill Gates and others like him. So spend that 10,000 hours well.

[openeyes]

From the several millionaires I've had the chance to know personally, it does seem that most of them do work a lot, at least for a period of time. To add to that, a job at McDonald's would be a a more secure income initially, but the work is world's apart. One of the more inspirational people I'm around a bit now, Ryan Allis, worked 80 hour weeks without pay for the first year of starting up his business. ~5 years later, he has 160+ employees and the company brings in $28 million in sales.

He's 24, 2 days younger than me, went to the same college as me, got into computers at about the same time, and we even grew up reading most of the same sales/business oriented books for inspiration. Apparently he was more action oriented though, while I am still deciding whether or not such action is what I want.

I've generally felt happy as I am, with few expenses, money in the bank and lots of free time. Still, looking at the entrepreneurial life, I don't see the long hours as nothing but drudgery. If one is inspired with a vision of what they wish to accomplish, the work can be part of it's own reward.

Meanwhile, check out Ryan's site. He's made inspiring other young entrepreneurs a major part of his life mission:

About Ryan | Dare Mighty Things

For anyone near Chapel Hill, NC, he holds free monthy meetups at his house for local budding entrepreneurs, particularly if they are oriented towards making the world a better place via their business (social entrepreneurship).

[seeker5]

Hmmm. In my early to mid 20's, I was fine with the idea of working 80 hours a week to be successful. I never did it because I never got into a job that I enjoyed much, but I thought the idea of working 80 hours a week to succeed in a field I enjoyed was great.

But now, in my early 30's, I don't want to work 80 hours a week, I'm not even sure I want to work 40 hours a week. I want to spend a lot of time with people I love, lot of alone time doing reflexive things, working on personal growth things, and not being rushed all the time. I still want to have a successful career in terms of doing something I love and being great at it.

I think a lot of times when I think I'll do something, and accomplish something, I go into "must do a bunch, will get up early, will work late, etc." and that doesn't work for me.

Remember that it takes 10,000 hours to become a real expert at anything. This figure has been statistically measured by analysing Bill Gates and others like him. So spend that 10,000 hours well.

If we divide that by 40 hour weeks, that makes it out to a little under 5 years. Not bad.

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by KtotheB

I'm very successful too and I do not work hard. I believe in ease & grace

Oh? Can you describe more how much you work, and what do you mean by not working hard?

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

Ah, good. So dispel it.

I'm very successful and I most definitely object to working very hard or like crazy.

Heh, you do seem to do a lot though, from your full time banking job, to your poetry, to your multiple blogs.

[Matt Willard]

I used to work long and hard to pursue my goals, but I'm sick of that now. I'd rather do a small number of the most effective things every day to reach my goals, and otherwise have a peaceful present moment.

[Daffy Duck]

Originally Posted by seeker5

In my early to mid 20's, I was fine with the idea of working 80 hours a week to be successful.

That whole idea always freaked me out a bit. I have some relatives who average 50-60+ hour work weeks. My girlfriend's parents usually work this much as well. Work consumes so much of their life that they barely have time to sleep or do anything else.

In my life, although I don't mind the occasional overtime, I try hard to stick to 40 hours or under. Even though I enjoy my work, I have so many other interests that I don't want to pursue only one or two.

Maybe I'm just spoiled. I know there's people out there who work two full-time jobs just to get by. I've just always felt that I didn't need or wanted to do that.

[the Nuge]

“you cannot become successful. You can only be successful. Don’t let a mad world tell you that success is anything other than a successful present moment. And what is that? There is a sense of quality in what you do, even the most simple action. Quality implies care and attention, which comes with awareness. Quality requires your Presence.” Tolle, A New Earth, p.70

One of the things that changed for me as I have become increasingly busier is how efficient and how much I care for time.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by Orecle

I will bet for a fact that in this world the most successful business people, students, doctors, lawyers, engineers you name it worked longer hrs than most.

I assure you that there is no correlation between the number of hours a person works and his level of career success.

In the world you will find no shortage of poor people who work extremely hard. Some of them build roads, some of them are prostitutes, some of them clean toilets, some of them grow corn or raise pigs.

[Orecle]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

I assure you that there is no correlation between the number of hours a person works and his level of career success.

In the world you will find no shortage of poor people who work extremely hard. Some of them build roads, some of them are prostitutes, some of them clean toilets, some of them grow corn or raise pigs.

I am not buying that. i will take the words of Brian tracy, steve siebold and other personal development leaders anydays over yours anyday. if you honestly believe the successful dont put in more hrs than the non-successful wen climbing to the top, then you just dont get it

you are trying to be smart

obviously spending hours on a small value job will not reap rewards regardless of the hours you throw at it

thats like comparing the distance travelled for 12 hrs on a bicicle with 12 hours on a plane

obviously 2hrs on a plane wil get you further than 12 on a bike. but metaphorically speaking, it takes more time to become a plane than a bike

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by seeker5

Heh, you do seem to do a lot though, from your full time banking job, to your poetry, to your multiple blogs.

Right ... That's what I mean.

I hold down a full-time job as a lawyer specialising in investment banking. Yet I find the time to write poetry books; run a current affairs blog; meditate; swim and run regularly; and raise two kids. I also make time to meet my parent once a week for one week without fail. And I also read widely - about politics, economics, science, religion etc.

Apart from all that, I even have time left over for mindless surfing.

Here's the trick. An hour is inherently meaningless. It all depends on what you do with it. A person who works 80 hours a week doesn't necessarily accomplish any more than a person who works 40 hours.

Very often, people who work very hard are simply people who don't really understand how to do their work. That's why they have to work extra hard to accomplish the same amount as other people.

----------------

Try this exercise. Next time at work, when you get a typical piece of work, time yourself and see how long you take to do it. Record the time you took. Then later, think about how you could have done it just as well or even better, but in lesser time.

The next time you get a similar piece of work, actually try it out and time yourself again.

What you're going to discover is that time is phenomenally elastic. A task that once took you eight hours, will later take you only four; then only take you two hours; then later only take you one.

Shockingly, you might even discover that a task that once took you eight hours, will eventually end up taking zero time. Because you'll learn that some things simply don't need to be done. If you learn to identify the cause of a problem, and to fix the cause, then you won't have to repeatedly solve the symptoms of the problem, again and again and again.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by Orecle

you are trying to be smart

Yes. This is a critical part of the process.

Always ask yourself - how can I work smarter, smarter, even smarter?

Not - how can I work harder, harder, harder.

In my line of work, I worry about the people who work very hard. I know that it is a matter of time before something goes wrong. They will get tired, lose concentration and make mistakes.

[Acting Like Godot]

I will tell you a story that I heard at a productivity conference.

Someone was saying that banks used to take an average of two weeks to process a credit card application.

Then Bank A improved its processes and improved it to 10 days. Then Bank B improved its processes and improved it to one week.

Then Bank C improved its processes and improved it to three days. And everyone applauded at that.

Then a business executive from the car-making industry walked over and laughed loudly at the banks, and said, "Three days to get one credit card is ridiculous. At Honda, we can now assemble one car in three minutes."

Then someone else walked over and laughed even more loudly. "At Toyota, we can assemble one car in 58 seconds."

This is the story of productivity. The fact that you work 80 hours a week means nothing. What matters is what you managed to deliver in a week, regardless of whether you worked 80 hours or 100 hours or 20.

[Daffy Duck]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

What you're going to discover is that time is phenomenally elastic. A task that once took you eight hours, will later take you only four; then only take you two hours; then later only take you one.

At work for one of our applications, we noticed we wrote a lot of similar code over and over. So we wrote a program to do it all by itself. Instead of taking an hour, it now takes 10 seconds.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by Orecle

if you honestly believe the successful dont put in more hrs than the non-successful wen climbing to the top, then you just dont get it

You don't get it.

When I was in law school, I had classmates who studied like hell for four years and still flunked.

Me, I ran the campus newspaper; played chess for the varsity chess team; took part in athletics; performed in musicals and drama performances; organised orientation programmes for freshmen; did a zillion other things (including lose my virginity ) ...

... AND still graduated on the Dean's List for academic excellence.

[Daffy Duck]

You're both right.

Depending on the task, you may need to put a lot of hours in. Especially if you're a beginner. It is true that many successful people work A LOT of hours.

But as you become a master of whatever it is you're up to, you will find that you need less and less time to create the same thing. It is true that many successful people don't work much at all.

Toyota didn't start building cars in 58 seconds from day one. But as they improved, and as technology improved, they were able to become faster.

ALG's classmates sound like they were beginners, whereas ALG himself sounds like he was a master at school.