“Hard Work Pays Off”
If you consider yourself a hard worker, you've probably had a lot of people tell you you're going to be a great success. To be honest, you should also listen to those who will tell you hard work doesn't guarantee success, but lack of hard work certainly guarantees failure.
Whether you're just starting off in your career, or considering making significant changes, remember always to combine hard work with smart work. Get close to people who can add value to your skills and other resources. Never waste mistakes but use them to get better.
One of my close colleagues at work sold encyclopedias to get himself through college, and he often says the more doors he knocked on to sell those books, the more people said, "No, not today," but at the same time, the more people said, "Yes, please come in."