Work Hard Quotes: 175+ Lines for Teams & Social

Looking for work hard quotes you can copy, paste, and actually use? This guide delivers verified lines, short captions, and scenario-based picks—plus how to apply them in meetings, emails, and social posts with confidence.

What Counts as a 'Work Hard' Quote? (Definition + Quick Examples)

Here’s how to spot a true “work hard” quote and use it with intent. You’ll find clear examples you can drop into slides, stand-ups, or study notes.

A “work hard” quote explicitly emphasizes effort, discipline, practice, perseverance, or consistent action as the path to results. It differs from general motivational quotes by centering on doing the work, not just believing or dreaming.

For example, “Discipline equals freedom” is effort-focused, while “Believe in yourself” is not.

Think of these lines as cues that turn attention into action and ideas into output.

Quick examples:

“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” — Thomas A. Edison
“Nothing will work unless you do.” — Maya Angelou
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” — Tim Notke

Takeaway: Use “work hard” quotes when you want to reinforce behavior, not just boost morale.

How to Use Work-Hard Quotes Effectively (Meetings, Emails, Social)

Turn quotes into action triggers that nudge behavior. Research on grit (Angela Duckworth), growth mindset (Carol Dweck), and deliberate practice (K. Anders Ericsson) suggests effort-focused messages can shift habits—especially when paired with a clear, time-bound next step.

Use quotes as catalysts for action, not filler.

Name the behavior.
Add a micro-goal.
Close with a simple commitment.

When people know exactly what to do next, inspiration becomes execution.

Tip: Pair a quote with one concrete action (“Today we’ll ship the draft by 3 p.m.”) to move from inspiration to execution.

Meeting openers and daily huddles

Prime focus and set momentum in 60 seconds. Use one line to name the behavior, then anchor it to a small, time-boxed goal.

Script: “Quick opener: ‘Discipline equals freedom.’ — Jocko Willink. Today, our discipline is one focused hour on ticket backlog—no Slack, no email, just shipping.”
Stand-up close: “Today’s line—‘Small daily improvements over time lead to stunning results.’ Let’s each name one 30-minute improvement block before lunch.”

Takeaway: Anchor the quote to a time-boxed action so motivation becomes movement.

Email subject lines and sign-offs

Short, clear lines set tone and nudge response. Keep subjects punchy; use sign-offs to reinforce the behavior you want.

Subjects:
“No shortcuts. Just reps.” — sprint plan
“Sweat now. Shine later.” — launch week
“Hard work beats talent.” — practice schedule
Sign-offs:
“Onward—one focused block at a time.”
“Shipping > talking.”
“Discipline today, freedom tomorrow.”

Takeaway: Keep it seven words or fewer for scannability.

Social captions and hashtags

Make your message skimmable and intentional. Pair a crisp quote with 3–6 focused hashtags, and keep bundles saved so posting takes seconds.

Example: “Show up. Do the work. #hardwork #discipline #grit #growthmindset #MondayMotivation”
Example: “Grind in private. Win in public. #workhard #consistency #goals #buildinpublic”

Takeaway: Short caption + 3–6 focused hashtags outperforms hashtag walls.

Short Work Hard Quotes (8 Words or Less)

Need punchy captions? These are optimized for headings, slides, and social.

Outwork yesterday.
Sweat now. Shine later.
Grind in private. Win in public.
Be the hardest worker in the room.
Discipline beats motivation.
Progress loves consistent effort.
Small steps, every day.
Habits build hard work.
Earn it daily.
Practice makes progress.
Work hard. Stay humble.
Focus. Effort. Repeat.
Show up. Do the work.
Talent fades; grind doesn’t.
No shortcuts. Just reps.
Results follow relentless effort.
Keep going when it’s hard.
Discipline equals freedom.
Consistency compounds.
Earn your confidence.
Work. Learn. Improve.
Let results talk.
Quiet grind. Loud results.
Hustle with humility.
Dream big. Work bigger.
Goals love sweat.
Practice beats pressure.
Effort is a skill.
Win the day.
Better never stops.
Make your own luck.
Finish what you start.
Momentum needs effort.
Reps over excuses.
Do the hard things.
Build discipline daily.

Best 25 Work Hard Quotes (Verified + Why They Work)

Use these vetted lines when you need credibility and clarity. Each includes a behavioral takeaway you can attach to goals, rituals, or training blocks.

These are sourced, widely documented, or include a note where attribution is disputed. Each annotation explains the behavioral takeaway.

1) “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” — Thomas A. Edison (interviews, early 1900s). Reminder: effort outweighs ideas. 2) “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” — Vidal Sassoon. Clever inversion that lands accountability. 3) “Nothing will work unless you do.” — Maya Angelou. Cuts through excuses; action-first. 4) “Discipline equals freedom.” — Jocko Willink, Discipline Equals Freedom (2017). Daily discipline expands your future options. 5) “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” — Michael Jordan (Nike ad, 1997). Normalize failure as required practice. 6) “Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.” — Kobe Bryant. Sets a non-negotiable standard. 7) “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” — John C. Maxwell. Aligns aspiration with effort. 8) “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” — Robert Collier. Champions compounding habits. 9) “What you lack in talent can be made up with desire, hustle and giving 110% all the time.” — Don Zimmer. Effort closes the skill gap. 10) “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” — Beverly Sills. Rejects quick fixes; embrace process. 11) “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” — Tim Notke (high school coach). Great for teams; merit via effort. 12) “Diligence is the mother of good luck.” — Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanack. Ties preparation to opportunity. 13) “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” — Seneca. Build readiness; chance follows. 14) “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.” — Adm. William H. McRaven (UT Austin Commencement, 2014). Start small; set momentum. 15) “Be humble. Be hungry. And always be the hardest worker in the room.” — Dwayne Johnson. Effort + humility framing. 16) “Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals.” — Angela Duckworth (Grit). Endurance over years, not days. 17) “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” — Stephen King, On Writing (2000). Professionalism equals consistency. 18) “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing.” — Pelé. Holistic work ethic. 19) “Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.” — Julie Andrews. Defines resilience practically. 20) “The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.” — Often attributed to Vince Lombardi; origin uncertain. Signals earned status; note the disputed source. 21) “I am a great believer in luck. The harder I work, the more of it I have.” — Coleman Cox (1920s). Corrects common misattribution to Jefferson. 22) “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” — Estée Lauder. Anti-fantasy; pro effort. 23) “Motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing.” — John C. Maxwell. Use motivation to start; discipline to sustain. 24) “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.” — John Ruskin. Effort must be deliberate. 25) “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” — Will Durant, summarizing Aristotle (The Story of Philosophy, 1926). Often misattributed; habits define identity.

Work Hard and Success

Anchor success to effort when celebrating wins or setting goals. These lines work in reviews, retros, and social posts that reinforce the process behind outcomes.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” — Robert Collier
“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” — Estée Lauder
“The harder I work, the luckier I get.” — Often said; see Coleman Cox variant for verified origin
“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” — Henry David Thoreau (commonly attributed)
“To succeed, work hard, never give up, and cherish a magnificent obsession.” — Walt Disney (attributed)
“The secret of success is constancy to purpose.” — Benjamin Disraeli
“Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work.” — Ann Landers
“Success is a journey, not a destination.” — Arthur Ashe
“Work hard in silence; let success make the noise.” — Author unknown; frequently misattributed
“What comes easy won’t last long; what lasts long won’t come easy.” — Unknown
“Work until your idols become your rivals.” — Drake (lyric); use with context
“Action is the foundational key to all success.” — Pablo Picasso
“Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven’t planted.” — David Bly
“The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces.” — Will Rogers
“Success is no accident.” — Pelé
“Success doesn’t come to you; you go to it.” — Marva Collins
“Success is never owned; it’s rented, and the rent is due every day.” — J.J. Watt (popularized)
“To be a champion, you have to believe in yourself when nobody else will.” — Sugar Ray Robinson

Work Hard and Discipline/Habits

When you want to spotlight routines and systems, use these to cue daily behaviors. They fit performance plans, habit trackers, and 1:1 coaching.

“Discipline equals freedom.” — Jocko Willink
“We are what we repeatedly do.” — Will Durant
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” — James Clear
“The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.” — Mike Murdock
“Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements.” — John C. Maxwell
“Make each day your masterpiece.” — John Wooden
“It’s not about perfect. It’s about effort.” — Jillian Michaels
“Excellence is a habit.” — Will Durant (summary)
“Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.” — James Clear
“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” — Bruce Lee
“Don’t count the days; make the days count.” — Muhammad Ali
“What gets measured gets managed.” — Peter Drucker
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” — Abraham Lincoln
“Suffer the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.” — Unknown
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” — Jimmy Johnson
“Do the work. Every day.” — Unknown
“Repetition is the mother of learning.” — Latin proverb
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe

Work Hard and Perseverance/Persistence

When resilience matters more than speed, these lines keep teams steady through setbacks. Use them to frame debriefs, recovery plans, and long-haul projects.

“Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.” — Julie Andrews
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” — Nelson Mandela
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” — Japanese proverb
“I’ve failed again and again—that’s why I succeed.” — Michael Jordan
“Energy and persistence conquer all things.” — Benjamin Franklin
“Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald
“A river cuts through rock not because of its power, but its persistence.” — James N. Watkins (attributed)
“Through perseverance, many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure.” — Benjamin Disraeli
“The harder the struggle, the more glorious the triumph.” — Unknown
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” — Albert Einstein (attributed)
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.” — Billie Jean King
“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” — Commonly attributed to Winston Churchill
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Confucius
“Keep going. Everything you need will come at the perfect time.” — Unknown
“When you feel like quitting, think about why you started.” — Unknown
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” — Often attributed to Winston Churchill
“Never, never, never give up.” — Winston Churchill (variously cited)
“Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” — Angela Duckworth

Work Hard vs Talent

Use these when you need to reinforce effort over innate ability, and add context so it empowers rather than shames. They pair well with training plans, coaching notes, and onboarding.

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” — Tim Notke
“Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.” — Arnold H. Glasow
“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” — Albert Einstein (attributed)
“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented from the successful is hard work.” — Stephen King
“Work hard in silence; let success make the noise.” — Unknown
“The difference between try and triumph is a little umph.” — Marvin Phillips
“Work will win when wishing won’t.” — Thomas S. Monson
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” — Confucius
“Natural talent only determines the limits of your potential. It’s the choices you make that determine how much of that potential you live up to.” — John C. Maxwell
“No one is a natural; it takes time to build a skill.” — K. Anders Ericsson (paraphrased from Peak)
“Effort makes mastery.” — Unknown
“Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.” — Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers
“Don’t tell me how talented you are. Tell me how hard you work.” — Unknown
“Genius begins great works; labor alone finishes them.” — Joseph Joubert

When to use: Choose these for training blocks, skills ramps, or onboarding—pair with a growth plan so the message feels supportive, not punitive.

Work Hard and Luck/Preparation

Show how preparation shapes “luck” to encourage readiness, reps, and planning. These lines support pre-mortems, practice schedules, and launch checklists.

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” — Seneca
“Diligence is the mother of good luck.” — Benjamin Franklin
“Chance favors the prepared mind.” — Louis Pasteur
“The harder I work, the luckier I get.” — Popular; see Coleman Cox for documented variant
“Fortune favors the bold.” — Latin proverb
“Good luck is a residue of preparation.” — Branch Rickey
“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” — Alexander Graham Bell (attributed)
“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” — Bobby Unser
“You can’t expect to hit the jackpot if you don’t put a coin in the machine.” — Flip Wilson
“Plan your work and work your plan.” — Napoleon Hill (attributed)
“Preparation makes the heavy tasks light.” — Unknown
“Focus on the inputs; outcomes will follow.” — Unknown
“You make your own luck.” — Unknown
“Preparedness is the ultimate confidence.” — Unknown

Work Hard, Stay Humble (Silence > Noise)

Use these to promote quiet execution and ego-free excellence. They land well in culture decks and post-win recaps.

“Work hard in silence; let success make the noise.” — Author unknown; commonly misattributed
“Work hard. Stay humble.” — Unknown
“Do great work, then step aside.” — Lao Tzu (paraphrase)
“Let your work speak for itself.” — Proverb
“Be humble. Be hungry.” — Dwayne Johnson
“Grind quietly. Celebrate quietly.” — Unknown
“Don’t talk, just act. Don’t say, just show.” — Unknown
“Reputation is built on what you do, not what you say.” — Unknown
“Character is doing the right thing when no one is watching.” — J.C. Watts (attributed)
“Win without boasting. Lose without excuses.” — Unknown
“Ego is the enemy.” — Ryan Holiday
“Less announcement, more accomplishment.” — Unknown

Funny Work Hard Quotes (Light but Focused)

Humor lowers defenses and keeps the message memorable. Pair a witty line with a simple action item.

“I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.” — Bill Gates (commonly misattributed; origin unclear)
“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it—funny how that works.” — Coleman Cox-inspired
“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?” — Edgar Bergen (attributed)
“If hard work is the key to success, most people would rather pick the lock.” — Claude McDonald (attributed)
“I work out so I can work in—on snacks.” — Unknown
“Teamwork means never having to take all the blame yourself.” — Unknown
“Monday: the day I set new alarms for my old ambitions.” — Unknown
“Work hard, nap harder.” — Unknown
“I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.” — Jerome K. Jerome
“My boss told me to have a good day… so I went home.” — Unknown

Work Hard Quotes by Audience

Pick the section that matches your use case and audience. Add a one-line call to action when you post or present.

For Students

Use these for study reminders, exam prep captions, and planner pages that encourage daily reps.

“Study like you’re behind. Perform like you’re ahead.” — Unknown
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated.” — Robert Collier
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe
“Focus beats cramming.” — Unknown
“Read. Recall. Repeat.” — Unknown
“Every page now saves panic later.” — Unknown
“Practice makes progress.” — Unknown
“Discipline today, freedom tomorrow.” — Jocko Willink
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” — Japanese proverb
“Aprende hoy, lidera mañana. (Learn today, lead tomorrow.)” — Spanish

For Employees and Teams

Lean on these in stand-ups, performance boards, and retros to reinforce process and ownership.

“Be the hardest worker in the room.” — Dwayne Johnson
“Quality is the result of intelligent effort.” — John Ruskin
“Plan the work; work the plan.” — Napoleon Hill (attributed)
“Ship value daily.” — Unknown
“What gets measured gets managed.” — Peter Drucker
“Excellence is a habit.” — Will Durant (summary)
“No shortcuts. Just reps.” — Unknown
“Respect the process; trust the team.” — Unknown
“We’re paid in problems solved.” — Unknown
“Work hard, play hard.” — Unknown

For Athletes

Drop these into training plans, locker-room boards, and recovery blocks to drive consistent effort.

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” — Tim Notke
“The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.” — Often attributed to Vince Lombardi
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.” — Billie Jean King
“Sweat now. Shine later.” — Unknown
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” — Wayne Gretzky
“Great things come from hard work and perseverance.” — Kobe Bryant
“Reps over excuses.” — Unknown
“Train in private. Win in public.” — Unknown
“Pain is temporary. Pride is forever.” — Unknown
“Más trabajo, más triunfo. (More work, more triumph.)” — Spanish

For Entrepreneurs and Creators

Use these for build-in-public posts, sprint kickoffs, and creative rituals that prioritize shipping.

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” — Pablo Picasso
“Amateurs wait; professionals work.” — Stephen King (paraphrase)
“Build daily or it doesn’t get built.” — Unknown
“Consistency compounds.” — James Clear
“Done is better than perfect.” — Sheryl Sandberg (popularized)
“Work hard. Stay humble.” — Unknown
“Start small, learn fast, scale wisely.” — Unknown
“Make something people want.” — YC motto (contextual)
“Create more than you consume.” — Unknown
“Travaillez dur, restez humble. (Work hard, stay humble.)” — French

Copy-Ready Captions and Hashtags

Paste-ready bundles for common platforms and use cases. Swap in your team, product, or goal.

Instagram/LinkedIn bundles

Copy, customize one hashtag to your niche, and post.

“Show up. Do the work. #workhard #discipline #grit #motivation #growthmindset”
“Grind in private. Win in public. #hardwork #consistency #goals #buildinpublic #success”
“No shortcuts. Just reps. #training #practice #process #hardworkpaysoff #focus”
“Work hard, play hard. #teamwork #culture #balance #workethic #winning”
“Discipline equals freedom. #leadership #habits #performance #atomicHabits #routine”

Presentation slide subtitles

Use these as subheads on agenda or takeaway slides to set tone and focus.

“Sweat the inputs; outcomes will follow.”
“Habits > Hacks.”
“Reps build results.”
“Work hard. Stay humble.”
“Discipline today, freedom tomorrow.”

Attribution 101: How to Credit Quotes (and Spot Misattributions)

Crediting well reduces legal and reputational risk. Include author, source (book/speech/interview), and year when possible; if disputed, say so. Clear attribution builds trust and keeps your materials professional.

Basic format: “Quote.” — Author, Source (Year)
Presentations: Add a small footnote on the slide with author + source.
Emails/Slack: Include author; link to source if internal wiki tracks citations.

Common misattributions to avoid:

“I am a great believer in luck… the harder I work…” — Often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson; documented by Coleman Cox (1920s).
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence…” — Often misattributed to Aristotle; phrasing by Will Durant (1926).
“Work hard in silence; let success make the noise.” — Viral; reliable origin unknown.
“The only place success comes before work…” — Sometimes attributed to Lombardi; credited to Vidal Sassoon.

Fair use tip: Short quotations for commentary/education are generally acceptable, but always attribute and avoid implying endorsement.

Verified Sources and References

Use this list to verify quotes, cite accurately, and spot common myths. When exact first appearances are debated, note the context.

Angela Duckworth, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (2016)
Carol S. Dweck, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (2006)
K. Anders Ericsson & Robert Pool, Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise (2016)
James Clear, Atomic Habits (2018)
Stephen King, On Writing (2000)
Jocko Willink, Discipline Equals Freedom (2017)
Will Durant, The Story of Philosophy (1926)
Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanack (1730s–1750s)
Seneca, Moral Letters to Lucilius
Louis Pasteur, Lecture remarks (1854–1857) often paraphrased as “Chance favors the prepared mind”
Admiral William H. McRaven, UT Austin Commencement Address (2014)
Coleman Cox, aphorisms (1920s magazines and calendars)
Robert Collier, The Robert Collier Letter Book (1926)
Beverly Sills, interviews/biographies
Don Zimmer, sports interviews
Pelé, public statements/interviews

Note: Where exact first appearances are debated, we’ve indicated common sources and misattribution notes.

FAQs: Work Hard Quotes

Quick answers to common questions about work hard quotes, plus examples you can use immediately. Keep the focus on effort, clarity, and attribution.

What is a good quote for working hard?

Pick a line that names effort and suggests a next step. Three reliable choices:

“Nothing will work unless you do.” — Maya Angelou
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” — Tim Notke
“Discipline equals freedom.” — Jocko Willink

What are the shortest work hard quotes?

“Outwork yesterday.”
“No shortcuts. Just reps.”
“Work hard. Stay humble.”
“Discipline equals freedom.”
“Sweat now. Shine later.”

Who said 'work hard in silence; let success make the noise'?

The line is viral but the origin is unclear. It’s often misattributed to Frank Ocean and others; no reliable primary source confirms a specific author. Use “Author unknown” or “Origin uncertain.”

Is talent or hard work more important? (Quotes + context)

Hard work compounds talent and is the piece you control. Quotes to frame it:

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” — Tim Notke
“Talent is cheaper than table salt… what separates the talented from the successful is hard work.” — Stephen King

Context: Pair these with a skills plan (practice blocks, feedback loops) so the message enables improvement rather than shaming ability.

How can managers use work-hard quotes without sounding clichéd?

Tie the quote to a specific behavior and time-boxed action.
Rotate themes (discipline, perseverance, preparation) to avoid repetition.
Celebrate effort publicly with concrete examples (“Shoutout to Priya for 3 focused QA blocks that cut bugs by 22%.”).

How do I properly attribute a quote in a presentation or company email?

Include author + source; if disputed, say “often attributed to…” and avoid implying endorsement. Example: “We are what we repeatedly do…” — Will Durant, summarizing Aristotle (1926).

When should I use a 'work hard' message versus a 'work smart' message?

Use “work hard” to kickstart momentum or sustain grind phases; use “work smart” when prioritization, systems, or leverage are the bottleneck. Best practice: “Work smart on the right things, then work hard on them.”

What research supports effort-focused quotes with teams?

Duckworth: Grit predicts achievement across domains.
Dweck: Growth mindset interventions increase persistence after setbacks.
Ericsson: Deliberate practice, not raw talent, drives expertise.

Application: Pair quotes with process goals (e.g., two 45-minute deep-work blocks) to activate behavior.

What is a good work hard quote for students preparing for exams?

“Every page now saves panic later.” — Unknown
“Practice makes progress.” — Unknown
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe

What are the best work hard quotes for athletes during training blocks?

“Sweat now. Shine later.” — Unknown
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” — Tim Notke
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.” — Billie Jean King

Final Thoughts: Turn Inspiration into Action

Quotes spark intention; routines create results.

Pick one line, attach a 30–60 minute action block today, and repeat tomorrow—your effort will compound faster than you think.

If you found this useful, save or share your favorite section (short captions, best 25, or by-audience picks) and start using one quote per day to cue meaningful work.