Ever notice how, deep down, a lot of us still believe work is supposed to hurt? Like there’s something virtuous about suffering on the job? Call it a holdover from Calvinism, call it hustle culture, or just call it an outdated con. The bottom line: we’re at our best when work doesn’t feel miserable—when it lights us up, fuels our creativity, and even has us forgetting to eat or sleep (but in a good way).
The Calvinist Hangover
For centuries, Western culture has lived under the shadow of the idea that toil must be grueling to be morally praiseworthy. It started with religious doctrine promising heavenly rewards for those who worked and obeyed. Today, the language has changed (we talk less about “God’s glory” and more about “the grind”), but the underlying message is the same: if you aren’t miserable, you must be lazy.
But guess who this mindset benefits? Historically, it helped the powerful, the owners, the people setting the rules while reaping the rewards. Now it benefits certain bosses, billionaires, and politicians. They stand to gain when workers push themselves to the bone—even if that work feels suffocating.
Hard Work vs. Working Intensively
Let’s clarify something: working hard can be wonderful if you’re doing what you love. When you’re so enthralled, you lose track of time, that’s not “miserable labor”—that’s flow. Paradoxically, you might be logging more hours than ever, but it feels like living, not grinding.
- Hard Work (Miserable Edition): Feels like dragging a weight up a hill, every day, all day. You’re exhausted, and you resent it. Productivity might be so-so at best.
- Working Intensively (Flow Edition): You’re passionately focused, time evaporates, and even if you’re physically tired, the process itself is deeply satisfying. The results often outperform your “grind” days by miles.
The Magic of Autonomy and Choice
People do their best work when they actually choose to do it. Nobody likes being forced, commanded, or guilt-tripped into putting in more hours. Just think of icons like Einstein, Michael Jackson, Steve Jobs—they put in insane levels of effort, but they also loved what they did. For them, it wasn’t “hard work” in the miserable sense. It was intense, immersive, deeply fulfilling.
If you’re stuck in a job you hate, telling you to “just work harder” doesn’t help. It’s a slap in the face. You’re already working as hard as you can, trying to pay bills and get by, and you might not have the immediate luxury of changing jobs or going back to school. For you, the old “work hard and you’ll make it” mantra is hollow at best and exploitative at worst.
Why “Just Work Harder” Can Be Toxic
- Ignores Intrinsic Motivation
When people crave autonomy, the worst thing you can do is say, “Work harder, or else.” You get token compliance, not inspired effort. - Overlooks Privilege
Some folks can choose their path and pursue their passions; others are stuck surviving. Preaching hustle to the latter group is nearly cruel. - Reinforces the Grind Mindset
It suggests that success is only real if you’ve “suffered enough.” But many top creators—and yes, even millionaires—succeed because they find joy and purpose in their work, not misery. - Breeds Burnout
If misery is your only barometer of “working hard,” you’ll never know when to stop. That’s a one-way ticket to burnout, which ironically lowers productivity.
Leaders, Listen Up
If you manage a team, here’s a radical idea: stop ordering people to work harder. Instead, set clear goals, give them autonomy, and then get out of the way. Nine times out of ten, people will pour themselves into meaningful work far more than they ever would under a whip-crack approach. Your job is to make sure they don’t burn out—and to celebrate them when they excel, instead of only measuring them by how tired they look.
A Personal Note on Doing More With Less Pain
I grew up with a fierce work ethic, taught to just “push through” until the task was done. Sure, it got me decent grades at school, helped me power through assignments, but it also led to plenty of moments where I gave my all for mediocre returns. On the flip side, whenever I found myself in love with what I was doing—truly into it—I saw far better results in less time. I might have clocked countless hours, but it didn’t feel like grinding. It felt like living.
Lesson learned: productivity isn’t measured in sweat or pain endured; it’s measured in meaningful output and genuine engagement.
Final Word: Stop Praising Misery
We’re not saying go be lazy. We’re saying don’t confuse suffering with success. You can work fiercely, intensely, and passionately—just make sure it’s for something you’ve chosen, something that sparks your mind and soul. If you’re a leader, create the environment where that can flourish for others.
The next time someone tells you to “work harder,” pause. Ask if it’s truly about pushing for more hours or about diving deeper into what fuels you. Because once you discover that sweet spot of autonomy, purpose, and love for what you do, you’ll naturally give your best—and you won’t need a sermon on hustle to do it.
Key Takeaway
Stop blindly working harder for the sake of it. Once you find (or create) work you enjoy, you’ll dive in wholeheartedly—no guilt trips or grim Calvinist ideals required. And if you’re in a position of leadership, unleash that spirit in your team. Trust me, the results will blow “grueling hard work” out of the water.
You might also find this next article interesting, posing the question Does a 60-Hour Workweek Make You a Productivity Beast—or Just Burnt Out?