WORK HARDER ON YOURSELF THAN YOU DO ON YOUR JOB

Written by Joan Nakagwe 

(the Journey2wealth.blogspot.com)

Introduction 

We live in a society that often glorifies the hustle. Long hours, dedication to the grind, and climbing the corporate ladder are frequently seen as the ultimate measures of success. While hard work in your career is undoubtedly important, there's a crucial imbalance that many overlook: the necessity of working even harder on yourself.

Think about it. How much time, energy, and focus do you dedicate to your job each week? Now, honestly consider how much you invest in your own personal growth, well-being, and development during that same period. For many, the answer reveals a significant disparity. We diligently strive to meet deadlines, impress our bosses, and excel in our professional roles, often at the expense of our own mental, emotional, and even physical health.

Jim Rohn once said, “Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.” At first glance, that might sound counterproductive—especially in a world that rewards hustle, long hours, and external achievement.

But here’s the truth:  your job will make you a living, but working on yourself will make you a fortune—not just financially, but in fulfillment, peace, and purpose.

In this article,  we’ll explore what it really means to invest in personal development, why it matters more than ever, and how to start building a life that isn’t just successful on paper—but powerful at the core.

Why Working on Yourself Comes First:

Most people spend years mastering their job and neglect themselves.They become great employees, but unfulfilled individuals—burnt out, reactive, and unsure of who they are without title.

While your job might provide you with income and a sense of purpose, it's ultimately an external entity. Your growth, happiness, and overall fulfillment, on the other hand, are intrinsically tied to your inner self. Investing in yourself yields far greater and more sustainable returns in the long run.Here’s why prioritizing self-work is paramount: 

• Unlocks Your Full Potential: Just like a company invests in its employees' training and development, you need to invest in your own skills, knowledge, and mindset to unlock your true potential. This could involve learning a new language, mastering a new skill, exploring your creativity, or deepening your understanding of yourself.
• Builds Resilience: Life throws curveballs. When you work on your mental and emotional resilience, you become better equipped to navigate challenges, setbacks, and the inevitable stresses of life, both within and outside of your job. This might involve practicing mindfulness, developing coping mechanisms, or building a strong support network.
• Enhances Career Success (Paradoxically):  By focusing on your personal development, you actually become a more valuable asset in your professional life. Improved communication skills, enhanced problem-solving abilities, increased emotional intelligence, and a stronger sense of self all contribute to greater success in your career, often more than simply putting in extra hours.
• Fosters Deeper Fulfillment: True satisfaction comes from within. Working on yourself allows you to align your life with your values, pursue your passions, and cultivate a sense of purpose that extends beyond your job title. This leads to a more meaningful and fulfilling existence.
• Improves Relationships: Your personal growth has a ripple effect on your relationships. As you become more self-aware, empathetic, and emotionally mature, you'll naturally foster stronger and healthier connections with the people around you.
• Boosts Overall Well-being: Neglecting your physical and mental health for the sake of your job is a recipe for burnout. Prioritizing self-care, exercise, healthy eating, and stress management is crucial for your overall well-being and longevity.

How to Shift Your Focus/ To work On Your Self:

The key isn't to abandon your professional responsibilities, but rather to consciously allocate time and energy for self-work with the same dedication you give to your job. Here are some practical steps:

1. Schedule “Your -Time”: Just like you schedule meetings for work, block out time in your calendar for personal development activities. This could be for reading, learning, exercising, meditating, pursuing a hobby, or simply reflecting.
2. Identify Your Growth Areas: What aspects of yourself do you want to improve? Be it your communication skills, your emotional regulation, your creativity, or your physical health, pinpoint specific areas for development.
3. Set SMART Goals for Yourself : Apply the same goal-setting principles you use at work to your personal growth. Make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
4. Invest in Yourself: Consider investing in courses, workshops, coaching, or therapy that can support your personal development journey. Think of it as an investment in your most valuable asset – yourself.
5. Practice Self-Reflection: Regularly take time to reflect on your progress, your challenges, and your learnings. Journaling can be a powerful tool for this.
6. Celebrate Your wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your personal growth achievements, no matter how small they may seem. This reinforces positive habits and motivates you to continue-your journey.

💡 Lesson: Your personal growth sets the ceiling for your professional success.

The Inner Work That Pays the Highest Return

Self-work isn’t just about motivation quotes or journaling—it’s deep, strategic, and transformative. 

Here’s where to focus: 

🧠 Mindset Mastery

Your beliefs shape your behavior. Upgrade your mindset from fear to growth, from scarcity to abundance.

🔄 Emotional Intelligence

Learn to respond—not react. Understand your emotions. Control your state. This will transform your relationships, leadership, and self-worth.

🗣️ Communication Skills

Your ability to express yourself clearly and confidently is more valuable than any job title. Work on your voice, presence, and message.

🧘🏽‍♂️ Self-Discipline & Habits

Your daily routine is your future in disguise. Build habits that align with your goals, not your feelings.

Job Security vs. Self Security

Jobs come and go. Roles change. The economy shifts. But the person you become through personal growth can adapt, lead, innovate, and thrive—anywhere.

🧭 Self-security is Knowing: 

• You can reinvent yourself
• You can learn anything
• You have value beyond a job description

Your job can be taken. But your mindset? Your character? Your courage? That’s yours for life.

Practical Ways to Start Working on Yourself Daily

You don’t need hours—you need intention. Here are small but powerful habits to begin:

• 📚 Read 10 pages of a personal development book daily
• 🧘 Meditate or reflect for 5–10 minutes each morning
• ✍️ Journal your thoughts, fears, and goals
• 🎧 Listen to podcasts that challenge your thinking
• 🏃 Move your body—a strong body supports a strong mind
• 📅 Track your habits to stay consistent and intentional

🕒 Time spent on yourself is never wasted. It compounds.

Who You Become Matters More Than What You Do

At the end of the day, your job title won’t define your legacy. Your character will.

The more you grow as a person, the more value you bring to every room, every project, every relationship—and yes, every job.

✅ When you build yourself, you don’t chase success—you attract it.

The Ultimate Investment: 

While your job plays a role in your life, remember that you are the constant. Your personal growth and development are the foundation upon which a fulfilling and successful life is built. By learning to work harder on yourself than you do on your job, you're not neglecting your career; you're actually fueling it, enriching your life, and ultimately becoming the best version of yourself. Make the conscious choice to invest in you – the returns will be immeasurable.

Final Thoughts 

Working harder on yourself than on your job isn’t about doing less at work—it’s about showing up better because you’ve worked on yourself. It’s about becoming the kind of person who doesn’t just succeed at work—but thrives in life.

So the next time you’re tempted to skip your morning routine, cancel your workout, or ignore that gut feeling—ask yourself:

“Am I building my job… or am I building my life?”

💬 Call to Action:

 What’s one way you can start working harder on yourself today?

Share your commitment in the comments or journal it privately. But whatever you do—start. You are your greatest investment.

Written and edited by Joan Nakagwe 

(theJourney2wealth.blogspot.com)