Business By Hormozi #258: Work and Life – How the True Difference Lies in Perception

The Line Between Work and Life

Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career choice—it’s a lifestyle. The phrase “The difference between you and the people out-working you is what you consider work, they consider life” encapsulates the mindset shift required for extraordinary success. While some see work as just a task to complete, others view it as an integral part of their existence—a driving force that fuels their purpose.

This is the story of Leo and Cara, two entrepreneurs who had different approaches to the work-life balance, but both learned that their perception of work would ultimately shape their success.

Leo’s Traditional View of Work

Leo always viewed work as just that—work. He would clock in at 9 a.m., do his job, and clock out at 5 p.m. Outside of those hours, he focused on other aspects of his life: family, friends, and relaxation. For Leo, work was necessary, but it wasn’t his life. It was a means to an end.

He had dreams of building his own business, but they always seemed to stay on the back burner. Whenever he would try to push forward with his ideas, he would run out of time or energy. He found himself thinking, “I’ll start tomorrow,” but tomorrow always seemed to get pushed aside. Leo considered work a task to be completed, but when it came to integrating it into his life, he found it difficult to stay motivated or committed.

Cara’s All-In Approach

Cara, on the other hand, had a different perspective. To her, work wasn’t just a means to an end—it was a part of who she was. She didn’t clock in and out; instead, she integrated her work into every aspect of her life. For Cara, work and life were not separate entities—they were intertwined.

Whether she was meeting with clients, brainstorming new product ideas, or researching her market, Cara was always thinking about how she could improve her business. It wasn’t always easy, and it certainly wasn’t always glamorous, but she was deeply committed to her mission. She didn’t wait for the “perfect moment” to get started; instead, she viewed every part of her day as an opportunity to move closer to her goals. She was out-working Leo because her perception of work had evolved into a lifestyle.

The Power of Perception: Work and Life

The difference between Leo and Cara wasn’t in their abilities or their ideas—it was in how they perceived their daily efforts. Leo treated work as something that had to be done, while Cara viewed her work as a natural extension of her life.

As the months passed, Cara’s business flourished because she was living and breathing her entrepreneurial journey. Her passion and commitment were evident in every decision she made. On the other hand, Leo continued to struggle with his inconsistent efforts. He was doing the work when he could find the time, but his lack of integration between work and life held him back from achieving his true potential.

The key to success is not simply working hard—it’s about seeing your work as a part of who you are. Work and life become seamlessly connected when you find your passion and integrate it into your daily existence. The most successful entrepreneurs are the ones who understand that their work is not a task to finish, but a lifestyle to embrace.

Conclusion

Success in entrepreneurship is not about doing your job well—it’s about making work a part of your life. When you view your work as something that fuels your passion and purpose, it becomes an ongoing journey, not just a task. The difference between those who succeed and those who struggle is in how they view work and life.

Moral: "The difference between you and the people out-working you is what you consider work, they consider life."