Hardworking qualities are dependent on the individual. A student, for example, would be considered hardworking if they studied on a regular schedule, without making excuses and got the job done in a timely manner. Hardworking does not equate success. I would consider anybody who works regularly and consistently and accomplishes their goals for the day to be a hardworker. You can compare people on their hardwork if they are doing the same thing. So, I can compare two medical students in the same year of medical school based on which one is more hardworking, but I cannot compare a medical student and a college freshman since they aren’t on the same level.
@ niki – Is this kind of what you were looking for? Or am I just rambling for no reason…