Achieving Financial Success: Balancing Wise Choices and Hard Work

Philip A. Christensen
3 min readSep 13, 2023

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The idea that hard work is the key to financial success is a common one.

We are told that if we work hard enough, we will eventually achieve our goals. Sometimes, this is indeed the case. The truth is that hard work is just one factor contributing to success. In fact, there are many cases where people who worked hard did not achieve financial success.

There are several reasons why hard work is not always enough. Firstly, hard work does not guarantee making good decisions. In fact, sometimes people who work hard make poor decisions because they don’t think clearly. Secondly, hard work does not guarantee luck. Sometimes, success requires a certain amount of luck, and no amount of hard work can guarantee luck.

In conclusion, if hard work is not always enough, what is the key to financial success?

Do you really need self-discipline to succeed?

I believe good judgment is more important than hard work. Good judgment is the ability to make correct decisions even when faced with uncertainty. It is the ability to see the big picture and think strategically. It is the ability to learn from your mistakes and avoid making the same mistakes twice.

“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory.” — Sun Tzu

Of course, hard work is still important. It’s important to remember that hard work alone is not enough. If you want to achieve financial success, you need to develop good judgment.

“It’s not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?” — Henry David Thoreau

Here are some reasons why good judgment is more important than hard work for financial success:

Good judgment can help you make better decisions about your career, investments, and finances.

Good judgment can help you avoid costly mistakes.

Good judgment can help you spot opportunities that others might miss.

Good judgment can help you build relationships with the right people.

Good judgment can help you stay calm and focused under pressure.

If you want to achieve financial success, it’s advisable to focus on developing good reasoning.

Hard work is important, but it’s not enough. With good judgment, you can make the most of your hard work and reach your financial goals.

In addition to the points mentioned above, I would add that hard work is often overrated: it’s seen as a prize.

It’s something people do to have an excuse for failure. Often, failure is difficult to accept, and it becomes socially acceptable if one has worked hard.

People believe that if they work hard enough, they will eventually succeed, even if they make poor decisions. However, the reality is that hard work is not a guarantee of success. In fact, it can often lead to exhaustion and disappointment.

If you want to achieve financial success, it’s important to focus on making good decisions. While hard work is important, it’s not the only factor that matters. With good judgment, you can make the most of your hard work and reach your financial goals.

From my perspective, hard work is overrated: good judgment is more important for financial success.

“A good strategy can make the difference between success and failure.” — Michael Porter

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Philip A. Christensen
Philip A. Christensen

Written by Philip A. Christensen

Author and coach, I write for ambitious solopreneurs, creative freelancers, and overwhelmed leaders who want to know how to deal with their self-sabotage.

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