HARD WORK IS NOT THE KEY TO SUCCESS.

Hard Work is NOT the Key to Success

You ever feel like you are working your 🍑 off… you’re working twice as hard as everyone else around you but only getting half as far? Seriously, like you put in more hours, deliver more results and even pick up the slack and yet you are overlooked, and under-valued and worst of all, under-paid!

If hard work was the key to success, you would already have a corner office and your own private island by now!

The problem is success isn’t a matter of effort, the real problem is visibility. (Yes,I know the thought of being seen is scary- but we are going to get to that in a minute.) 

The truth is we have been conditioned to believe that success should be hard. And this is especially true for anyone who has ever experienced trauma- because sometimes just surviving is really hard work.

We’ve been told that success belongs to the one who hustle harder and we wear burnout like a badge of honor. Tony Robbins calls it “massive action.” And sure, that might work for some. But let’s be honest, Tony also beat a brain tumor with mindset alone. His baseline for what’s humanly possible is a little different than most of us.

#HustleCulture was built on the idea that more effort = more results, but for many women, especially survivors, that equation leads straight to burnout.

Entrepreneurs are already 50% more likely to experience burnout. Add trauma to the mix, and those odds increase by more than 200%. For trauma survivors, “hard work” often comes from survival mode. Over-performing, over-giving, and over-functioning just to feel safe.

So when you find yourself grinding harder but getting nowhere, the answer isn’t to work harder, the answer is to work louder. (And don’t worry this isn’t as scary as it sounds!)

What It Means to Work Loud

Working loud is not bragging and bravado! It's also not about seeking validation, making  demands, or playing the damsel in distress.

All too often, hard work is about doing more and hoping that you get lucky, that someone sees your efforts and rewards you for them.

Working louder is about raising your self-worth and adding value.  It’s about knowing what you bring to the table and being excited to talk about it. Trust me, this pays way more than hard work! 

How to Work Loud

Here are a few ways you can start to work louder:

1. Celebrate Your Own Accomplishments (Especially the Small Ones)

We often downplay our own accomplishments. This can be for many reasons like imposter syndrome, fear of being in the spotlight, or because of low self-worth. You do good work, but oftentimes we only believe that when someone else affirms it. But when you stop and celebrate your own accomplishments - yes even the small ones- you not only affirm your value,  you confirm it in your own mind.

Try this: Make a Ta-Da List instead of a to-do list. 

At the end of each day, write down everything you’ve done, big or small, and the impact it had on you, your goals, the company at large or even by making someone else’s day easier. 

This builds confidence and raises your sense of self worth, which are 2 fundamental ingredients in chasing bigger opportunities.  (And you can even turn to this list later when it’s time for a review - or if you need a pick-me-up on one of those less than stellar days.)

2. Do More of What Works (and Less of What Feels Safe)

We often confuse feeling comfortable with being productive. For trauma survivors, comfort can equal safety, so we naturally gravitate toward the tasks that feel predictable, like color-coding spreadsheets, tweaking our website again, or spending three hours perfecting one email. Those tasks keep us busy, but they rarely move us forward.

Take a look at where your time actually goes. Notice which activities energize you, which drain you, and which ones are really just keeping you in the safe zone. Be honest with yourself, this step is all about calling your own BS.

Remember small can feel safe in the short term, but success equals long term security. 

Then, identify what’s truly working and which actions make the biggest impact on your goals, your growth, or your bottom line. Use the 80/20 rule as a guide: about 80 percent of your results come from 20 percent of your effort. Focus on that 20 percent. 

When you start putting your energy into the work that matters most, you stretch your capacity and strengthen your confidence. You stop hiding in “busy,” and you start building momentum toward the life and career you actually want.

3. Talk About Your Work 

Yes, it’s time to talk about the scary part.  For many of us, especially survivors, talking about our work can feel uncomfortable. Visibility hasn’t always felt safe, and sharing can sound a lot like bragging in our heads. But this is not about seeking praise or validation, it’s about being engaged and excited about what you’re creating.

When you share what you’re working on, what you’re learning, or where you’re growing, you invite people to come along for the journey. That kind of genuine enthusiasm signals confidence and purpose, and people notice it, whether it’s your boss, your team, or your clients.

Ask for input, share progress, and celebrate milestones along the way. Excitement is contagious, and when others see your energy and commitment, it keeps you front of mind for new opportunities, because people can see your passion in action.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need permission to be successful. Success isn’t handed to those who work hard- it’s taken by those who aren’t afraid to speak their worth.

Working loud isn’t about being noisy or performative. It’s about using your voice, owning your value, and letting people see what you’re capable of. Every time you show your work, share your ideas, or speak up about what you care about, you not only teach your brain that it’s safe to be seen but you let others see the value in your contribution. 

Hard work might build skills but Loud work builds success.

So take the first step: In the comments, share something you’re working on, something you’re proud of, or even ask for some advice. 

Get Loud!

XO

~Arci