The Myth of “No Pain, No Gain”: Rethinking Hard Work

Photo: Female hands on keyboard with book shelves in background

Many of us have been told that “no pain, no gain” is the secret to success, but what if this belief is actually holding us back? For years, I thought that working harder would bring me more control, more achievement—but it only left me drained and running on empty. At work, I would skip breaks, stay up late, work 10+ hours a day without ever switching off my laptop. Then I’d wake up early and dive back in, ignoring the signs my body was sending—that I was exhausted, stressed, and running on empty. Still, I believed that if I worked harder, I would feel more in control, not less.

After years of pushing myself to the limit I began to notice the toll it was taking. Exhaustion became my constant companion. But the irony was that the harder I worked, the less control I actually felt. I realized I wasn’t alone—many of us fall into the trap of thinking that relentless hard work is the only path to success, when in reality, it leads us away from the things that matter most.

Now, I’ve learned to pay better attention to my mind and body. When I’m exhausted, I try to be kind to myself. I didn’t sleep well last night, and everyone around me seems to be catching the inevitable back-to-school colds, so today I’m tired. Instead of powering through, I focus on what I can realistically achieve, take more breaks, and work at a different pace. This isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing what matters most with clarity and focus. By prioritizing rest and reflection, I’m actually more productive and creative. It’s a lesson I wish I’d learned earlier.

How often do we assume, whether as employees or leaders, that being constantly available is a badge of honour? The truth is, this mentality doesn’t lead to more success—it leads to burnout. The pressure to answer every request immediately or to be seen working around the clock often means sacrificing the deep, creative work that really drives success.

The “always on” mentality doesn’t lead to more success—it leads to exhaustion, resentment, and stifled creativity. And the irony is, the more we push ourselves to be available at all times, the less space we leave for deep, meaningful work. Creativity and problem-solving thrive in moments of rest and reflection—not in an endless stream of urgent tasks.

So how can you break free from the cycle of working harder and instead bring more intention and reflection into your work life? It starts with challenging the idea that ‘hard work’ equals success. Taking breaks, pacing yourself, and creating space for deep focus can actually lead to better results and a more balanced life. Working in full flow rather than working hard, and riding the wave rather than sprinting a marathon…

🔗 Five practical things you can do now to slow down

The Positive Intelligence programme has been instrumental in helping me break this cycle. Through mindfulness techniques and mental fitness exercises, I’ve learned to intercept the negative thought patterns—like my inner Controller—that drove me to overwork in the first place. Now, instead of seeking control through constant action, I find clarity, resilience, and greater success by working with intention.

If you’re tired of the endless hustle and ready to work smarter—not harder—the Positive Intelligence programme offers practical tools to help you shift from stress to clarity. By embracing a more balanced approach, you can achieve more while burning out less. Success isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about working with self-awareness and using that to do what’s right for you, in the long run.

📚 Looking for the science to underpin this? Here are six books that help you to change your productivity mindset, slow down and focus, when all you want to do is work harder.