So today, I stumbled upon a post claiming that students and professionals aren’t putting in enough effort to be successful. And honestly, I kinda agree… but let’s unpack what this “success” thing actually means. Because, let’s be real—are we talking about the kind of success that lands you in a 9-to-5, grinding away for someone else’s dream? Or the kind of success that’s more about pursuing your own path, even if it doesn’t come with a corporate title or an annual bonus?

Here’s where things get tricky: success is like that elusive sock that always disappears in the laundry—you’re pretty sure it exists, but no one really knows what it looks like for everyone. But society? Oh, society loves to tell us what success is supposed to be. Go to school, get a job, work hard, make money, retire, and ride off into the sunset on a golden yacht. Except… a lot of people are starting to wonder if they’re just rowing someone else’s boat.

Let’s dive into why I think students and professionals aren’t slacking off—they’re just putting effort into the wrong dream. Here we go!

The 9-to-5 Grind: Whose Dream Are We Building, Anyway?

If you ask most people what success looks like, they’ll probably describe the typical 9-to-5 office gig. Maybe throw in some perks like a steady paycheck, health benefits, and—if you’re really lucky—a company mug with your name on it. But when you step back and think about it, is that really what success means? Or is it just the easiest path to take because it’s been paved by society for decades?

Let’s break it down:

  • You’re Working… But for Who? Sure, a 9-to-5 job provides stability, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But the question is: are you working toward your dreams or someone else’s? When you’re clocking in and out, day after day, where is that energy going? Into building a company or vision that someone else came up with. The CEO gets richer, the stockholders get happier, and you? Well, you get a paycheck, some work stress, and probably a strong relationship with caffeine.

  • Effort ≠ Success (If It’s Not For You) The post I saw claimed that people aren’t putting in enough effort. But here’s the thing—many people are putting in a ton of effort. They’re just pouring it into someone else’s cup. Working hard doesn’t always equal success, especially if the effort isn’t aligned with what you want out of life. You can bust your butt at a job for years and still not feel any closer to success because, at the end of the day, it’s not your dream that you’re chasing.

The “Success Formula” is Broken

For years, the formula for success was drilled into us: go to school, get good grades, land a good job, work your way up the ladder, and boom—you’re successful! But in today’s world, that equation doesn’t always add up. More and more people are realizing that the traditional path isn’t designed to make you successful—it’s designed to keep the system running smoothly.

  • School Doesn’t Guarantee Success Anymore: Getting a degree used to be a ticket to success. Now? It’s more like a ticket to a pile of student debt and maybe a “good” job if you’re lucky. The workforce is more competitive, and many industries are shifting in ways that make that “golden ticket” less valuable. So students aren’t just sitting around doing nothing—they’re questioning whether the formula even works.

  • Climbing the Corporate Ladder? It Might Be a Hamster Wheel: Even once you land that cushy job, what does success look like? Is it a promotion? A bigger office? More stress and longer hours to reach that next rung? Too often, “climbing the ladder” feels more like running on a hamster wheel, chasing after something that always seems just out of reach. You end up working harder and harder, but you’re still trapped in the same loop.

What Does Success Even Mean, Anyway?

Here’s the million-dollar question: what is success, really? Is it making six figures at a job you hate just because it looks good on paper? Or is it pursuing something that actually makes you feel fulfilled, even if it doesn’t come with a fancy title or paycheck?

  • Success Should Be Personal: Success doesn’t have to mean “big money, big job, big house.” For some people, success is about freedom—the ability to wake up every day and choose what you do with your time. For others, it’s about passion—working on projects that bring joy or contribute to a cause they believe in. And for some, it’s about balance—having time for family, hobbies, and personal growth, instead of being tethered to a desk for 40+ hours a week.

  • Redefining Success is Crucial: We’ve got to stop measuring success by someone else’s ruler. If we don’t redefine success for ourselves, we’ll always feel like we’re falling short. Maybe success is living within your means while pursuing a side hustle you love. Maybe it’s starting your own business, even if it’s risky. Or maybe it’s simply about not being chained to a 9-to-5 schedule. Whatever it is, success needs to be personal, or it’s not really success at all.

Putting Effort Into Your Dreams

So, to all the students and professionals who are being told they aren’t putting in enough effort to “be successful,” here’s the real truth: they are putting in effort—it’s just not toward the definition of success society has sold them. And honestly, that’s a good thing. The world is changing, and so are the ways we work and define success.

  • Find What You Want: Before you put your head down and grind, ask yourself: whose dream am I building? If the answer isn’t yours, it might be time to rethink your game plan. Whether it’s starting a side hustle, changing careers, or figuring out how to turn your passion into a paycheck, there’s no shame in wanting more than just a steady job that drains your soul.

  • Effort is About Direction, Not Just Hard Work: Putting in effort is important, but where that effort goes matters even more. It’s not about hustling harder; it’s about making sure the hustle is leading you somewhere you actually want to be. If your current path is all about building someone else’s empire, maybe it’s time to pivot and start working toward your own.

Final Thoughts: Success is Yours to Define

At the end of the day, the idea that people aren’t putting in enough effort to be successful is flawed. Many people are working incredibly hard—they’re just realizing that traditional definitions of success don’t fit their lives anymore. They’re starting to see that effort is valuable, but only when it’s pointed in the right direction—your direction.

Success isn’t just about making money, getting promotions, or impressing other people. It’s about figuring out what makes you feel fulfilled, what aligns with your values, and what brings meaning to your life. So, yeah—students and professionals might not be “putting in enough effort” to be traditionally successful. But maybe that’s because they’ve realized that true success is about creating your own path, not just following someone else’s.

And honestly? That sounds like a better use of effort to me.