Hard Work Pays Off (Reflection Essay Example)

“Successful people are not gifted; they just work hard, then succeed on purpose.” This quote is stated by G.K. Nielson. It means that finding purpose and working hard pays off and leads to future success.

Growing up, I have witnessed hard work and success happen first hand by my parents leading a path for me wanting the same. After high school, my father enlisted in the military, completed basic training and set off to war. Before his second tour to Iraq, he met my mom who was enrolled in college and next they married before my father’s second deployment. Shortly after, my dad was shot by enemy fire during the war, causing major wounds scarring him forever. This became a life changing experience for both my parents which led to a series of hospital visits, physical therapy, surgeries, unexpected financial burdens, and changing their futures forever. My mom paused school to help my dad with recovery and shortly afterwards became pregnant with me. Shortly after discharge from the military, my parents relocated to Minnesota and settled into new jobs and a new home where I was born. Not long afterwards, my mom decided to journey back to college to complete her degree coming home late from work every night and after that would study for classes. Statistics from 2021 state that the average woman works 36.4 hours per week and my mom exceeds the averages consistently averaging 50 hours per week. Men average 41 hours per week and my dad too exceeds the average by averaging closer to 45 hours a week as well. Continuing to progress with purpose and working hard, both my parents have earned multiple promotions and have continued to be elevated to bigger roles with additional responsibility now leading others encouraging them to work hard with purpose and overcome challenging obstacles.

Growing up in a home that continues to show me how hard work pays off, I strive to want to do the same. I love sports and athletics and find motivation to be on a team that does the same. I’ve seen myself grow by overcoming obstacles and putting in extra hard work at practice and have done extra camps and voluntary practices in order to succeed. Although I put in extra effort, it does not compare to what professional athletes average of just over 40 hours of practice a week in order to succeed; however it does help me understand the amount of extra hours that are needed to pay off success.

In reflection, success can be measured in multiple ways. “Luck is great, but most of life is hard work.” This statement made by Iain Duncan Smith is something that will resonate with me along with witnessing what hard work can do. Hard work truly pays off when you aim with an end goal in mind, find purpose, and overcome obstacles.