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By Eugene Nanven
Society has long preached the idea that hard work is the key to success, that pushing through exhaustion, sacrificing sleep, and grinding endlessly will ultimately lead to achievement. From a young age, we are conditioned to believe that effort alone is enough, that if we simply try harder than everyone else, we will rise above. But reality is far more complicated. If hard work truly guaranteed success, then the world would not be filled with millions of people working themselves to the bone with little to show for it. There are factory workers, laborers, and small business owners who put in grueling hours every single day, yet they remain stuck, struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile, there are those who seem to do far less but enjoy wealth, recognition, and prosperity. This contrast is proof that hard work alone does not determine success.
This new year is a year of cultivating a successful lifestyle, and that is why I am channeling my articles toward this truth. People need to shift their focus from mindless hustle to strategic thinking. Effort without direction is wasted energy. A person can row a boat furiously, but if they are headed in the wrong direction, they will never reach their destination. The same applies to life. Hard work must be combined with intelligence, opportunity, and adaptability. There are individuals who dedicate their entire lives to a single job, expecting that their diligence will be rewarded, only to be let go without warning, leaving them with nothing to fall back on. This is not because they did not work hard but because they relied solely on effort without considering leverage, skill development, or opportunity.
Another factor often overlooked is timing and circumstance. The world does not operate on fairness alone. Luck plays a role, as does being in the right place at the right time. Some individuals are born into privilege, handed access to networks and resources that others could never dream of. This does not mean that they do not work hard, but it does mean that their path is smoother. Others, despite immense effort, are constantly met with roadblocks simply because they lack the same level of access. Success is not a straight road; it is a complex landscape that requires more than just grinding endlessly.
It is time to recognize that strategy and efficiency are just as important, if not more so, than raw effort. The ability to recognize opportunities, build the right relationships, and acquire high-value skills determines far more than simply putting in more hours. A person who spends ten hours a day perfecting a skill that is no longer in demand will not get ahead. Meanwhile, another who spends only five hours mastering something highly valuable in today’s world will achieve success much faster. This is why people must learn to think beyond effort and focus on where their efforts are going.
Another damaging aspect of the “hard work guarantees success” lie is that it often leads to burnout. People push themselves to the limit, working under the illusion that their suffering will eventually yield rewards. But success is not just about persistence; it is about sustainability. Working until exhaustion does not make one more deserving of success. It simply depletes energy and motivation. Those who understand balance, who work effectively rather than excessively, ultimately last longer and achieve more.
Success is about making the right moves, at the right time, with the right approach. It is about working smart, not just hard. This year, instead of glorifying endless hustle, let this be the time to shift focus toward strategic thinking, skill acquisition, and recognizing opportunities. Success is not about who works the longest hours but about who plays the game wisely. Those who understand this will move ahead, while those who continue believing in the myth of effort alone will remain trapped in the cycle of struggle.
Eugene Nanven a public affairs analyst writes from Gwagwalada Abuja
