Hard work...is Hard...and what is what this company is made of
Hard work is hard—it’s in the name. But it’s also what this company is built on. If you walk around the business at 4:30 or 5:00 PM, you’ll notice a familiar cast of characters still at their desks or on the floor. Interestingly, these are often the highest performers in the business. Seeing their commitment evokes two very different emotions: deep gratitude for their dedication to the company, to me, and to their teammates—and frustration with those who aren’t pulling the same weight.
That said, hard work isn’t defined by the clock. No timecard can measure or calibrate it. The only person who truly knows if you’ve given your best effort is you.
When I was a kid, I struggled with test anxiety. My dad would always tell me, "If you gave it your all and worked hard, the grade doesn’t matter." I still remember bombing a quarter of sixth-grade honors math after transferring to a new school. My report card had a brutal “C,” but instead of being disappointed, my dad gave me a “Hard Work” certificate. It was printed on Kodak-yellow paper, and it hung in my room until I moved out. That moment instilled in me an internal mantra: if I genuinely gave something my all, I could be proud, regardless of the outcome.
I learned that a hard-earned “B” feels infinitely more fulfilling than an easy “A.” The struggle, the grit, and the lessons from the process mattered more than the result itself. This philosophy has shaped my view on hard work as an essential component of success.
The Nature of Hard Work
Hard work is often uncomfortable. It means confronting challenges head-on, avoiding procrastination, and resisting the urge to delegate away responsibility. Hard work is bittersweet: achieving results validates your effort and brings pride, but the process often involves sacrifice. And that sacrifice looks different for everyone.
For me, hard work has cemented two truths:
- There is immense pride, fulfillment, and dignity in work.
- Hard work can overcome any obstacle—regardless of intelligence, talent, or luck.
The dignity of work begins with human dignity. Every human being is made in the same image and likeness, which means work is not just a means to an end—it’s an expression of that dignity. Whether large or small, all forms of work contribute to building a greater society.
Hard work is most rewarding when you align it with your vocation or calling. As the saying goes, “Work is for man, not man for work.” If you find no joy or meaning in the work you’re doing, you have three options:
- Keep punching the clock—or worse, “keep something in reserve.” (This phrase still makes me shake my head when I hear it. A few months back, someone said it to me, and all I could think was what a selfish perspective it was.)
- Work toward the next level. Pursue education, ask for more responsibilities, take risks, and develop skills that will get you where you want to go. Sacrifices will be necessary, but they will build a stronger foundation for your future. Strong communication, trust, and loyalty is a must for this to be successful and accelerated.
- Leave and find something different. If you’re stuck in option #1, do yourself—and the company—a favor by moving on. Staying in a role where you’re just going through the motions helps no one.
The nuance here is important. Those that take pride in a job well done, and enjoy the security of that, are not in these categories. Keep up the awesome work!
At this company, in particular for future leaders, I’m looking for people who choose option #2. Those who are willing to make sacrifices, take risks, and invest in their growth are the ones who inspire and lead.
Grit Prevails
There were times in my life when I was at the end of my rope—physically, mentally, and emotionally. One particularly tough period was at St. Paul, when I wasn’t sure how I’d keep going. Then my toddler at the time kept singing, “Just keep swimming,” Dory’s famous mantra from Finding Nemo. And so, that’s what I did. I kept swimming. On the other side of that struggle, I realized once again that hard work, grit, and determination are unstoppable forces.
Even now, I have faith that no matter what challenge comes our way, hard work will guide us through it—or help us find a way around it.
Reflecting at the End of the Day
At the end of every day, check in with yourself. Do you feel fulfilled? Did you give it your all? If the answer is yes, then you’re on the right path.
Thanks for reading.
- Ben
