“A free lunch is only found in mousetraps.” ~ John Capuzzi

Yesterday over lunch, some coaches were praising the work done by a colleague. They said that his team was working very hard.

But here’s a question: What exactly does it mean to work hard? It’s got to mean more than just working up a sweat. Anyone can do that.

No, working hard means more than just huffing and puffing. It means:

* Making improvement a conscious process. Improvement doesn’t just happen. It happens when you identify an area for growth and then start to work toward it.

Using mistakes correctly. Everyone makes mistakes. Some people keep making the same ones over and over. Others let themselves be defined by what they see as their limitations. But then there are those who see mistakes as problems to be solved along the road to mastery.

Being focused on the task. Distractions are everywhere. The greatest performers are those who keep their minds on what they are doing while they are doing it.

If you can be conscious of the area where you need improvement, stay focused on that area and then make the necessary corrections along the way, you will be truly working hard, while others are merely working up a sweat.