Work hard – do not be lazy

Ants working hard carrying leaves
27 May
2016

I am convinced that hard works pay off.  I have seen some people become successful based solely on their natural talent or a gift from others- but it doesn’t last. Sustained excellence is truly difficult to achieve. Lazy people never get there. They settle for less. Don’t be like that.

Don’t avoid the struggle

First, the most rewarding part of the success journey is “the struggle”.  I have learned most of life’s lessons during the tough times when I have struggled towards achieving a goal.  Lazy people try to take shortcuts to the finish line. I am not suggesting that life hacks are worthless. Instead, I am suggesting that you learn more by taking the harder road.

Another reason that lazy is not good

Second, if something is handed to me, it doesn’t mean as much to me as the things I have earned.  When I win based on my own efforts – nobody can take those victories away from me. Think about it. If everything is handed to you on a silver platter, then you will think that is how life works. It doesn’t. You need to work and earn your living. Don’t be lazy and wait for someone to give things to you.

Lazy people rely on natural talent alone

Lastly, natural talent only gets you so far in this world.  I do not have much natural ability in many things, so I have tried to make up the difference by working harder and smarter than the other guy.  To date, this approach has worked well for me, and I believe will make all the difference for me in the long run. I am playing the long game in life.

Take a lesson from the ant, you who love leisure and ease. Observe how it works, and dare to be just as wise.
It has no boss, no one laying down the law or telling it what to do,
Yet it gathers its food through summer
and takes what it needs from the harvest

Proverbs 6:6-8
Life will not be handed to you on a silver platter.

I am Doug Keating and this is my letter to sons.

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