The difference between working hard and competing

Most people work hard, but few people compete.[1] Maybe this is why so many hard-working people fail to reach their goals.

When we say someone is “working hard”, we generally mean that person is giving a high amount of effort.[2]  When we say someone is “competing”, we generally mean that person is giving a high amount of effort to achieve something.[3] 

Working hard is not the same thing as competing. Deciding to compete means you will work hard with purpose. Competing equals working hard plus a desired result.

Deciding to compete is a personal decision. Other people may be able to force you to work hard, but they cannot force you to compete. To compete, you have to want to achieve something for yourself.

When you compete, you force yourself to focus on continuous improvement. The desired result becomes the priority; not the specific work. When you compete, you make better decisions with your time and energy. Your work becomes dynamic.

The saying “hard work always pays off” is wrong. Working hard isn’t enough to reach your goals. You must pair your hard work with a desired result. You must compete. 

Notes

[1] I’ve been toying with this concept for the last year, but I was inspired to write something after watching this speech by Duke’s new women’s basketball coach, Kara Lawson. Coach Lawson’s speech is worth a watch if you want to dive deeper into how this concept applies to sports.

[2] Merriam-Webster defines hardworking as “constantly, regularly, or habitually engaged in earnest and energetic work” and Lexico defines hard work as “a great deal of effort or endurance”.  

[3] Merriam-Webster defines compete as “to strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective (such as position, profit, or a prize)” and Lexico defines strive as “make great efforts to achieve or obtain something”.