“Learning” To Work Hard
… “you need to work harder”… what does that even mean?
As I alluded in an earlier post, I get viscerally irritated over things people do or build that lack common sense or represents a clear gap in deep thinking. However, very few instances make my blood truly boil; one trigger is when I hear the statement, “you need to work harder”… what does that even mean?
Many parents, teachers, coaches and employers cheaply toss such statements without any consideration for the listener; they are abstract and intangible, which can confuse and in some cases, demoralize individuals on the receiving end as it glazes over their effort.
“Working harder” cannot be lazily “quipped”, it’s a mindset moulded after extensive experimentation through a journey through failure and despair. Leaders and mentors need to understand the difference between taking a sanctioned, judgemental approach versus something more contextual, grounded, and human.
Learning to work hard is not about time management techniques or arrogantly avoiding breaks. It’s rooted around making a personal decision through a conviction to develop the emotional awareness and acumen to be compassionate towards the self.
Next time you suggest someone to work harder, make an effort to be cognizant of the emotional depth they may possess that you are not privy to. Preferably, try asking “how are you feeling?”.
Developing a stronger work ethic starts with a conversation around the choices the individuals made, not with a platitude as a prescription to do more.
Word count: 227
Twitter: @bhavprajapati
