Hard work - The ultimate requirement for success?

-


There’s a popular saying that “if you work hard enough, you’ll succeed”. Hmmm, the truth about life is that it doesn’t always play out that simple. Imagine two people, one born into a family that can afford the best schools, best of everything and connections, and the other one who grows up in a small town with limited or no resources. Both may work hard, but the one with more opportunities often has an easier path to success. It’s not because the second person is lazy or less capable, it’s just that life didn’t give them the same starting point.


Sometimes, success comes from being at the right place at the right time. A person might get a great job because they met the right person or had access to information others did not. Meanwhile, another equally hardworking person might be overlooked, simply because they did not have those same chances (Nepo and Lapo kids). Luck and opportunity often walk hand in hand with effort, even if or when we don’t like to admit it.


On the other hand, it’s unfair to say people are poor because they’re lazy. Many people in poverty work longer hours than those who are well-off. Think of street vendors, farmers, cleaners, or factory workers who wake up before dawn and return home very late at night, just to earn enough for the day. Their situation isn’t because they don’t try, it’s often because the system doesn’t reward their kind of hard work the same way it rewards others.


So, when we look at success or poverty, we should do so with empathy and understanding. Yes, hard work matters, but so do opportunities, environments, and luck. Success should inspire us, not make us look down on those that are still struggling. And instead of blaming people for their poverty, we should focus on creating a fairer world, one where everyone has a real chance to turn their hard work into a better life.


MaidenWura.

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 10, 2025 at 7:43 AM

    Real Nepo and Lapo story

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 10, 2025 at 7:44 AM

    Thanks for this. I pray God makes success easy for us Lapo kids.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Understanding God's Direction and Protection

-
Image
"When you get what you want, that's God's direction. But when you don't get what you want, that's God's protection." This quote has been attributed to various sources, but regardless of its origin, it speaks a powerful truth about faith and trust in a higher power. At its core, this quote suggests that sometimes the things we desire may not be what is best for us, and that sometimes, setbacks and disappointments can be blessings in disguise.  The first part of the quote, " When you get what you want, that's God's direction ," suggests that our desires and aspirations can at times be aligned with God's plan for us. When we achieve our goals or receive what we have been working towards, it can be seen as a sign that we are on the right path. The achievements can give us a sense of purpose, direction and fulfillment.  However, the second part of the quote, "But when you don't get what you want, that's God's protection,...
Read more

Judge by Experience, Not by Gossip

-
Image
Life is full of opinions. Friends warn us about certain people, coworkers share stories about colleagues, and social media spreads rumors in seconds. But note that everyone is more than what other people say about them. It is easy to form impressions based on the opinions of others. Colleagues, friends, relatives, neighbors or social circles may share negative experiences or warnings about people, but I want you to know that there is always more to a person than what other people say about them. Relying only on hearsay can close doors to valuable relationships and opportunities that could benefit you personally or professionally. An example is my real life experience with a family friend who close relatives and neighbors marked as “too proud and not willing to help". But when I decided to meet him in person to try my luck about needing a job, I met a warm, generous person who after few weeks, helped me secure a job opportunity I desperately needed. That experience taught me a last...
Read more

Same Start, Different Journey

-
Image
Last night, while scrolling through Facebook, I stumbled on a post titled “Same Classroom, Different Futures” shared by my former secondary school teacher, Miss. Osewa. The moment I read it, something inside me stirred, and I couldn’t shake it off. I knew I had to share my own reflection. Thinking back, I remember there was a time when many of us began our journeys in the same place, went to the same school, wore the same uniforms, listened to the same lessons, and wrote the same exams that determined our ranks and performance. Back then, life felt so straightforward. We assumed that starting together meant we would somehow end up in similar places or we will all do great in our field. But the truth is that life has its own script for everyone, and each chapters unfolds in ways we never expected. Looking around that classroom years ago, none of us could have predicted how life would shape us. Hmmm, no one could tell who would rise financially, who would struggle, who would battle silen...
Read more