Doing work is not the same as putting in work. Many times you may hear people say they deserve to win. They deserve that raise, promotion, or office space, etc. Look, I get it, especially if you are from my generation, we allegedly think we are owed shit. This is getting into a whole other topic, but I personally think all generations have that mindset. I've been working 30 years. I deserve to retire. Blah blah blah. Guess what? No one cares. You can definitely be deserving of something, but most likely, you must put in the work to earn it.
Doing work = showing up to work, doing what is asked of you. If you are just doing work, this may result in no pep in your step, not doing anything more than the minimum, complaining about the work you have. I once was a football player who thought doing work was enough and I never realized the difference until I stopped playing. I realized the importance of putting in work. Putting in work = showing up to work and doing more than what is asked of you. This results in having a positive impact on those around you and clearly demonstrating your value. You may even be happier for it. Those that verbalize they deserve something assume that what they are doing is good enough to have earned what they want. Issue is, they are often doing work and not realizing the people getting what’s owed to them are putting in work.
Look, complaining is annoying. Complaining may even get you what you want at times. However, no one has EVERcomplained their way to the top. Soooo stop complaining! Don't be afraid to put in work. Saying, “They don't pay me to do this,”will not get you paid to do that in the future. Quoting Ralph Emerson, “Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying.” This is one of my favorite quotes that also ties perfectly into my other favorite, “Be so good they can't ignore you.” Both of these statements are very strong messages. If your actions are that of a complacent, self-deserving, just-doing-enough-to-get-by individual, no one is going to care what you are saying because they can see what you are doing. If you are doing all that you can and are truly trying to make an impact,you will be noticed. You need to have such an acute focus to detail, you can't help but add value.
Remember, it may not be instant. Instant gratification is a killer, so don't stop putting in work just because you feel you haven't been noticed yet. It may take time and consistent effort to see the payoff. Just trust the process. If you want to be a beast in the weight room, acquire the body you desire, or get a promotion at work, you must put in work consistently to get there. Though some of us may have been given a ton of shit growing up just for being us, that is not how the real world works. You have to put in work if you want to accomplish your dreams.