The Myth of Hard Work

Law #30 of the 48 Laws of Power, by Robert Greene

Make your accomplishments seem effortless.

Why?

People beg.

They beg for crumbs of praise, recognition, look at me, see how hard it was.

“I worked so hard, it took so long, acknowledge what I did…”

Hard. The operative word. If you see how hard I worked, you will give me something in return. Praise, money, a promotion. Or, proof that one is ‘worth it’ because of hard work.

DO THE OPPOSITE, says the author! One of the 48 Laws of Power are to make your actions seem natural, and not to reveal how hard you work to achieve the results you get.

What issue does he have with showing others how hard you work?

Here is his explanation:

The Racehorse:

“From up close, we would see the strain, the effort to control the horse, the labored, painful breathing. But from the distance where we sit and watch, it is all gracefulness, flying through the air.”

Gracefulness.