I think that working hard is recognizing what needs to be done to accomplish a goal. You can go through a day and "do stuff" but the things that have an ultimate purpose behind them seem to take on more importance and a greater priority. I worked full time while raising my girls and did a few hobbies when I could work them in. I moved up through one company over 25 years and feel I worked hard for them but my family has more importance to me than what I achieved at that company. The girls both did very well in school and have families of their own now. They have both developed hobbies and talents of their own and they both have a strong work ethic. The "working hard" thing to me is plowing through to accomplish something and it doesn't have to have one whit to do with money.