And no, they don't work harder than you. If hard work created wealth, the world's hardest-working individuals, like farmers, construction workers, street vendors, night shift nurses, would be the wealthiest individuals on the planet. I was a convert to the "hard work pays" lie for years. AdvertisementThink about the advice we grew up listening to: "Work hard, and one day you'll make it." Here is the one rule rich people follow: They don't just work — they make their work multiply.