The Inevitable Struggle: Gary Vaynerchuk on Why ‘Hard’ is the Point

In a recent LinkedIn post, Gary Vaynerchuk discusses the misconception that success should be easy, arguing instead that struggle and hard work are fundamental to achieving meaningful outcomes. Vaynerchuk challenges the notion that ease is the ultimate goal, suggesting that this perspective has led to a fundamental misunderstanding of how real achievement is attained.

He emphasizes that the difficulty inherent in pursuing goals is not a bug, but a feature, essential for growth and reward. Vaynerchuk draws a parallel to physical fitness to illustrate his point:

It’s suppose to be hard .. that’s the point ..we have gotten confused along the way and decided the goal was “easy” or that “easy” had some great outcome on the other side …. You don’t do 1 push up and think you’re gunna have muscles so why do you think in life or work it’s gonna be easy and good ..

The Misconception of Ease

Gary Vaynerchuk contends that society has, in many ways, fostered an environment where the pursuit of effortless success is glorified. This, he argues, is a detrimental mindset. According to Vaynerchuk, equating ease with desirability blinds individuals to the necessary processes involved in building anything of value, whether in personal or professional life.

He points out the logical fallacy in expecting significant results without commensurate effort. “good comes from hard work .. promise xoxox,” Vaynerchuk states, underscoring his belief that the reward is directly proportional to the investment of effort.

The Multifaceted Nature of Hard Work

Vaynerchuk further elaborates on the types of effort required, highlighting that hard work is not solely physical or entrepreneurial. He includes emotional labor as a critical component of the journey toward achieving positive results.

whether that’s emotional work, physical work or entrepreneurial work .. it’s part of the process of getting to “good”

In Vaynerchuk’s view, acknowledging and embracing the inherent difficulty in any significant endeavor is the first step toward genuine accomplishment. He suggests that by reframing challenges not as obstacles to be avoided, but as necessary steps in the process, individuals can cultivate a more resilient and effective approach to their ambitions.

Ultimately, Gary Vaynerchuk’s message on LinkedIn serves as a powerful reminder that the path to meaningful success is paved with deliberate effort, perseverance, and a willingness to engage with the hard aspects of any pursuit. It’s a call to abandon the illusion of easy wins and embrace the rewarding reality of earned achievements.