In a recorded song lyric, popular pop artist Pink almost shouts, "Let me tell ya about hard work, minimum wage with a baby on the way, let me tell ya about hard work, rebuilding your home after the bombs blew it away, let me tell ya about hard work, making a bed out of a cardboard box, let me tell ya about hard work, hard work, hard work. You don't know nothing about hard work."

Unfortunately, Pink is correct. The problem is that the individual to whom she referred, probably does not want to know "nothing" about hard work, because hard work, in and of itself, does not bring wealth or success. Many hardworking, well-meaning people, spend years doing hard work and die young, and poor.

THE VALUE OF HARD WORK

The value of hard work is not found in wealth. Hard work builds character, and increases self esteem, that is, for those who place value in self discipline and the act of working hard. Whether or not an individual places worth in hard work, it does get things done. Unfortunately, from a money perspective, it often only serves to pad somebody Else's bank account. Hard work can lead to wealth for the individual who actually works hard, if it is combined with the knowledge and ability necessary to work smart, as well as hard.

WORKING SMART VS ONLY WORKING HARD

Few will ever get rich working hard for somebody else. First of all, there are few positions at the top. All other positions are designed to pad the top dog's bank account. I have several little jobs myself, and they are productive financial resources, as long as you understand that they will never make you rich, or even close. They should be used to earn barely enough income to get by, while you work at something that will pay you well enough to justify the time it takes to do it.

If you were ever actually paid what you are worth while working for anybody else, there would be no money left for the owner of the business. Therefore, nobody else can afford to pay you what you are actually worth to him or her. Once you understand that, you will not resent doing your little job, but will not depend on it to make you rich, or even support you that well, either. If you wish to ever have any financial or personal choices in your life, you must figure out a way to produce your own income, decide what your own work will pay you, and then work hard at marketing your own business, not a business that is owned by somebody else.

GET RICH SCHEMES AND MULTI-LEVEL MARKETING SCAMS

The above are generally schemes and scams, just as the subject heading suggests. If you follow the lead of some high powered sales person into these schemes and scams, you are once again working hard to pad a bank account that is not your own. People will also dread seeing you approach, just as they do a Jehovah's Witness type knocking at their door. People are seldom in the mood to hear about Avon products or a new brand of vitamin supplements. You must use your own creative ability to come up with a product or service that people actually need, and that you can produce at least as well as the next person. Then your work consists of marketing your product, and getting your name, not Avon's, before the public eye.

FRIENDS AND NETWORKING

You build your own business in the same way you make new friends.  In fact, marketing your own business is making friends, only with business motives, as well as personal motives.  You care about people, treat them fairly, and with respect.  You do not use people, or abuse their trust in you. 

Most businesses have ethics, for good reason.  Good business relationships are never only about what other businesses can do for you; they are always also about what you can do for them.  Sometimes you may even take the time to connect other people who might benefit from services you do not even provide.  This will not pay you monetarily immediately, and may never pay you at all, but chances are you will develop friendships and business relationships in this manner, that will eventually work to your advantage.  Even if they don't, you have done something to help somebody else along, and there is worth in doing so.

TIME

Successful business ventures usually require time.  Work hard, work smart, and treat others as you would like to be treated.  If one business attempt does not appear to be working, try another, and another.  There is no law requiring that you only attempt one thing at a time, in fact, one service may actually lead to another you can provide, and you may discover that the second or third attempt is the one that actually works.

LISTEN

Listen to what present and potential customers tell you.  Their suggestions, complaints, and praise are like free college tuition.  You may be a genius, but you still have things to learn, even if it is only how to keep one customer satisfied.  Remember that doing this a million times means causing millions of customers to want to do business with you.   You cannot lead if you have no followers.

SUCCESS IS ALWAYS A JOURNEY; NEVER A DESTINATION

Always strive for improvement.  No one is stagnant in business; you are either increasing your market share or losing it.  Keep that in mind, and work to continuously improve your standing with customers, and in the community.