Yeah, one can't really work hard towards making a chance thing like finding a $100 on the sidewalk happen though. It's good when things come easy by chance but I've always going the really important things take effort although some people these days are more inclined to apply the feeling of entitlement.
Like your vacation comment, knowing it's there, working hard for it and leading up to it will make it feel even better so we're on the same page there.