Hey kids, hard work matters a lot for most of us, even though society is not a total meritocracy

There are sooooo many posts on reddit about how much hard work doesn't matter. That's the biggest most self-defeating lie we can spread as society.

It’s important to tell young people that hard work and resilience can make a difference in their lives, even though we recognize that the world is not a perfect meritocracy. Teaching hard work is not about pretending life is always fair; it’s about equipping kids with the mindset to navigate challenges and setbacks that are, unfortunately, part of an imperfect society. Hard work and dedication don't guarantee success, but they are often the best tools we have to improve our chances and make progress. No one’s saying obstacles won’t exist — discrimination, health barriers, and unequal opportunities are real — but the ability to work hard helps individuals overcome challenges where they can and, importantly, helps them recover and rebuild when things don’t go as planned. Rather than gaslighting, it’s about fostering a sense of agency where possible, acknowledging challenges, and still encouraging resilience.

If you think people tell you this in order to make you feel bad, stop assuming that. Many folks share the idea of hard work mattering because it's worked for them. Want to be a famous musician, ask a famous musician how much work went into it. Want to be a doctor? Ask your doctor what he did to get there.

Just because someone else was unlucky, doesn't mean we have to discourage everyone else from following there dreams. And those of you who continue to do that, please stop.