The problem is not with my stories, the problem is that you have read all the eastern and western stories, fables and legends... lol
I don't believe that hard work is dispensable, I think it is necessary, considering hard work as an effort of course, and not only as physical work. The fact is that not only with effort and action will things be achieved, but preparation is also necessary. It's like in a fight, you have to hit hard and have good technique, otherwise, you will not have much success.
I see hard work as a catalyst. Apollo Guidance Computer was 2.048 MHz processor. These days even a washing machine is more powerful. Martial Art is actually a perfect example. More brute force you have, the better it is. But it's only a 2nd tier priority.
I do spend an obscene amount of time reading and watching stuff. But I'm barely into my 20s. I couldn't have finished all that all too soon! In case I have finished most of them, I still have Netflix and some books to read. (I've been wanting to read Ender's Game for some time)