I think we agree, or at least I agree with most of what's in your bullet points. "Working hard" is pointless; working hard for your goals is the target. I used to spend my time being frustrated I didn't have what I wanted when it seemed many of my friends and peers were given things I had zero chance of getting. Now? I don't exactly work hard for the sake of working hard, but the work I do for my goals (family, retirement, home, stress, health) has paid off in spades.