Granted that when you are working for someone else, the incremental improvement/hardwork that you put in does not translate into recognition or reward. Is it s

Granted that when you are working for someone else, the incremental improvement/hardwork that you put in does not translate into recognition or reward. Is it still true in the business world? Especially when you are running your own business doesn't hard work translate into something? For me, When you are trying to get started in the business world, the temptation to keep churning day in and day out is pretty high. It may not necessarily be the right thing.