You cannot become rich doing poor work because success demands excellence. It’s a simple but brutal truth about the direct link between the quality of your output and your financial rewards. This isn’t just about effort; it’s about creating undeniable value.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote means that mediocrity is a financial ceiling. Wealth is a direct reward for exceptional value, not for just showing up or doing the bare minimum.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times. People think “hard work” is the key. And it is, but it’s not just about the hours. It’s about the *quality* of those hours. “Poor work” isn’t just lazy work; it’s work that’s average, uninspired, easily replaceable. The market doesn’t pay a premium for that. It just doesn’t. Becoming rich is essentially a transaction where you provide so much undeniable value that people are happy to pay you handsomely for it. You can’t do that with a poor, shoddy, or mediocre product—whether that product is a software you build, a service you offer, or the effort you put into your job. It’s a law of economic physics.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (4111) |
| Category | Career (230) |
| Topics | quality (9), value (49), work (21) |
| Literary Style | concise (467), direct (442) |
| Emotion / Mood | realistic (401) |
| Overall Quote Score | 76 (135) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is straight from Brian Tracy’s 2001 book, “The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires.” It’s a cornerstone of his philosophy. You sometimes see similar sentiments floating around, misattributed to other motivational figures, but this specific phrasing is pure Tracy.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brian Tracy (375) |
| Source Type | Book (4623) |
| Source/Book Name | The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires (41) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1764) |
| Original Language | English (4111) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4623) |
Author Bio
Brian Tracy, a prolific author gained global reputation because of his best seller book list such as Eat That Frog!, Goals!, and The Psychology of Selling, and created influential audio programs like The Psychology of Achievement. He is sought after guru for personal development and business performance. Brian Tracy International, coaches millions of professionals and corporates on sales, goal setting, leadership, and productivity.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | You cannot become rich doing poor work |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2001; ISBN: 978-1-57675-198-5; Latest Edition: Revised 2019; Number of Pages: 96 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 3: Commit to Excellence, Approximate page 17 of 2019 edition |