The idea that someone can claim they deserve their success because they worked so hard, when 'work hard' just means 'spend long-hours doing something they were intellectually and emotionally engaged by' seems so transparently egotistic.
On that basis, most successful people I know almost never work hard.
I spent a summer working on a peach farm in the packing house. It was hard work. The next summer I worked as a life guard at a private club, which was over all incredibly easy (and I got paid more). It was transparent which life I'd rather lead.
Fast forward 20 years, and as "hard" as I work in software and mobile games, it's never been as soul crushing as working on the farm for minimum wage, with absurdly strict owners. (I once got yelled at for looking at the clock on the wall behind me when we were in a lull.)
My now father-in-law has been a farmer for 60+ years. He has never had much money and still works the fields.
He works hard. I'm pretty sure I only did once, 22 years ago.
I feel the same. I have worked in agricultural jobs and it is really hard work - work so hard that even when young and fit you end the day so tired that you want to sleep as soon as the sun goes down. About the only positive out of this experience is it does make me really appreciate the cushy lifestyle I have now :)
It depends though. I have a friend who bought a winery+vineyard after he retired, he's losing money and working very hard but he's also happy. I've spent a day out at his farm, pruning vines and getting shown around his equipment and all the things he's excited about. We ended the day with a big family BBQ on the veranda and so much wine... pretty good retirement if you can afford it.
Buying a winery is a good way to turn a large fortune into a small one. I love visiting wineries, but doubt I will ever make enough money to own one.
There is a big difference between working on your own property in your retirement and working piece rate earning under the minimum wage for 14 hours a day of back-breaking physical labor.
I have bank of large windows in my office overlooking a sea of green that I can open and enjoy the outside weather. I don’t think I would be too happy being in some basement under fluorescent lights year round.
On that basis, most successful people I know almost never work hard.