The Nature of Hard Work

March 10, 2009 By 10 Comments

I often talk about the need to hustle to achieve your goals whether they be personal or professional goals.  All across America there are millions of people who spend their life working hard to provide for their families.  Some work hard because they have to and others hustle, whether or not because they have to, but instead because they want to.  They love their jobs. I started really thinking about this while watching a recent TED presentation by Mike Rowe, the host of “Dirty Jobs“.

Watch this presentation and really pay attention.  First, it’s a great talk that Mike gave filled with jokes and interesting stories.  But, then read in between everything he’s talking about and listen to what he has to say about the nature of hard work and what he has found traveling the country doing these “dirty jobs”.

What are your thoughts about the nature of hard work?  Let’s chat about it in the comments below…

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Filed Under: Hustle, Videos Tagged With: , ,
  • http://twitter.com/justinlevy justinlevy

    This morning I really want you to think about the nature of hard work and let me know your thoughts – http://is.gd/mGEJ

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

  • http://twitter.com/SuzeMuse SuzeMuse

    That Mike Rowe TED Talk that I just posted? Go over to @justinlevy’s blog if you want to talk about it! http://is.gd/mGEJ

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

  • http://twitter.com/adamkmiec adamkmiec

    The Nature of Hard Work http://bit.ly/jt1q

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

  • http://twitter.com/knealemann knealemann

    More thoughts from @justinlevy on hard work and hustle. http://tinyurl.com/bqetw2 @smjbos

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

  • http://twitter.com/knealemann knealemann

    More thoughts from @justinlevy on hard work and hustle. http://tinyurl.com/bqetw2 #smjbos

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

  • http://www.netspray.com GM

    I used to work in construction and can testify that people that do the manual labor are as happy or happier than those of us in an office. I was doing everything I could to get a desk job and get out of the elements and they kept asking me why. They would tell me that the people working in offices are doing the manual labor on their weekends and in their free time. Which is true. I know a couple people who spend much of their free time doing things that would be considered blue-collar jobs.

    Personally I am happy to be out of the construction field but it was a rewarding job. You were able to see a finished product after doing the work. That is what I miss from the job.

    But what Mike says in the video is true. People don’t want to get dirty anymore. They don’t want to work hard if they don’t have to. I mean look at the television commercials and infomercials you see. Everything is trying to help people get rich without doing too much and the world doesn’t work like that. You have to work for what you want.

    There really is no such thing as a free lunch.

  • http://www.netspray.com GM

    I used to work in construction and can testify that people that do the manual labor are as happy or happier than those of us in an office. I was doing everything I could to get a desk job and get out of the elements and they kept asking me why. They would tell me that the people working in offices are doing the manual labor on their weekends and in their free time. Which is true. I know a couple people who spend much of their free time doing things that would be considered blue-collar jobs.

    Personally I am happy to be out of the construction field but it was a rewarding job. You were able to see a finished product after doing the work. That is what I miss from the job.

    But what Mike says in the video is true. People don’t want to get dirty anymore. They don’t want to work hard if they don’t have to. I mean look at the television commercials and infomercials you see. Everything is trying to help people get rich without doing too much and the world doesn’t work like that. You have to work for what you want.

    There really is no such thing as a free lunch.

  • http://www.hyperarts.com/blog/ Analisa

    I wish I had more time to watch the great presentations from TED! I saw this one from Dirty Jobs and it it next on my To Watch list.

    Did you see Evan Williams speak?
    http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/evan_williams_on_listening_to_twitter_users.html

    He is not the most charismatic speaker but his presentation inspired me to follow more hunches and to stay inspired when it comes to social media and finding new ways to connect with people. Even though my mom always said “There’s nothing new under the sun”, I think there are always new ways to interpret old ideas.

    I recently subscribed to your blog and I am enjoying hearing your thoughts on social media related topics. Thank you!

    Analisa’s last blog post..My Blog, My Self

  • http://www.hyperarts.com/blog/ Analisa

    I wish I had more time to watch the great presentations from TED! I saw this one from Dirty Jobs and it it next on my To Watch list.

    Did you see Evan Williams speak?
    http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/evan_williams_on_listening_to_twitter_users.html

    He is not the most charismatic speaker but his presentation inspired me to follow more hunches and to stay inspired when it comes to social media and finding new ways to connect with people. Even though my mom always said “There’s nothing new under the sun”, I think there are always new ways to interpret old ideas.

    I recently subscribed to your blog and I am enjoying hearing your thoughts on social media related topics. Thank you!

    Analisa’s last blog post..My Blog, My Self

  • http://twitter.com/mendy_vienna mendy_vienna

    Love this presentation! The Nature of Hard Work – Great video (20 mins but worth it) of Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs. http://ow.ly/1Iyq

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter