Easy question, guys. Hard work WILL pay off in some way, shape or form. It teaches discipline, stick-to-it-iveness and to ignore the irrelevant obstacles that may rear their ugly head along the way (pain or discomfort). Longevity and survival are merely fringe benefits of the practice.

The body is the vehicle for all we do in life. It can be our greatest ally or our biggest obstacle. It is a source of pleasure and of pain, but the irony is that the highest uses of the body often require tolerating the greatest pains. To live with integrity and discipline means we have to forego temporary satisfaction. To achieve maximum performance means we have to tolerate incredible discomfort. To have tremendous willpower means we can't be afraid of pain.

Physical training is mostly mental training. No one achieves fitness who listens to the voice that says "You've done enough already." No one becomes great by just going with the flow. No one is asked to become a leader. If you don't live by your standards, and if those standards aren't higher than others' standards, you can count on cheering greatness from the sidelines.

CrossFit and all true PT programs work from the inside out. Over time, your inner strength, determination, and willpower increase more than your physical strength, metabolic conditioning, and body's appearance. And this inner strength, determination, and willpower are the great indicators of success. If you can drive hard during the fifth round of a Fight Gone Bad, there is nothing your boss or your competition can do to overwhelm you.

Longevity? Who knows what the future holds. Dr. Atkins died from a fall on ice. You never know when your time is up. I have no interest in a long, pathetic life. If PT doesn't contribute to me creating a great life for myself today, then I don't want it.

It teaches one simple pattern that applies to success, longevity, and survival:

Don't quit.

I have found that it contributes to mental fortitude. Sometimes when something tough arises I think back "This isn't nearly as bad as those sets of thrusters when I thought my heart was going to explode".

Excellent answers! I'll add goal setting, attenuation to fight or flight, control of emotions, ability to control your body under extreme physiological or psychological stress, faster reflexes and more power to apply quickly during times of extreme physical stress, confidence, the feeling of accomplishing a hard task every day.

I dont think it could be said much better Tony B.

For me it is the mental attitude.....I have fought with this throughout my cycling years in races. You will hurt, you wont be able to breathe, you will want to puke, and your mind is telling you "quit and the pain will end". However if you plan to win, you must push on, grunt if you must but dont quit.....to me one of the best things in the world is finishing a Race (or WOD) and you are trashed, you are on your knees, your head is hanging still sucking in any bit of oxygen you can, the sweat is pouring and you know you have given it your all. That will transfer over to your professional attitude and life.

Great answers, people.

I believe the same thing. You keep going when things are at their most difficult. It is definitely mental attitude. To push harder when it would be so much easier to just stop.

I have only one quibble with Tony, whose statement is first-rate: the discipline is not mental but spiritual. It is not intelligence that is needed but character. The problem is that this is now being developed by an elite minority; whereas it is desperately needed by the great majority of the population. It's fun to think of oneself as part of the elite, but more important to figure out how to extend this training of character to others.
Anyway, weighted pullups today: 25 pounds x 5, 25x5, 45x3, 45x3, 45x3, 70x2, 70x2, 90x1 (seven times), 70x2, 70x2, 70x1, 45x3, 45x3, 25x5, 25x5, 25x5, 25x5, 25x4, done.

Let me just start by defending Tony B., although his statement really needs no defense and Adam's comments certainly aren't off the mark. Tony, being an educator, is trying to bring this message to the masses at his school. Just look at last month's CFJ for evidence of his work at Mt. Madonna. So, you can say Tony not only talks the talk; he walks the walk as well.
As for the original question, I can't think of anything really original to add to the excellent responses thus far. I can only add anecdotal information based on what I see every day. I teach a "study skills" class that has 27 of the least motivated students in the school. One thing most lack is that "pattern for success." They don't know what it means to keep trying until the job is finished. They have seen too many expamples in their neighborhood, homes, schools of people who can give up, blame everyone but themselves, and go on living the same pathetic existence. These kids don't play sports; they don't care about physical fitness; hell, most are failing PE because they won't dress out. I'm starting to get the evil idea of making them do a CF style workout once a week just to see if they can learn some tenacity from it. These are kids who give up on a math problem rather than ask for help. I have no doubt PT of any kind would benefit them in the long run, but first they have to have the incentive to try.
On the other side of the coin, I have my volleyball team here at school. They are subjected to tough (for their age group) PT from me, twice a week. They know they can handle anything other teams throw at them and they are, for the most part, successful in their school work. They have parents who encourage them; they encourage each other; they are motivated to be successful.
So, I guess what I'm saying is a good PT program, or at the least a PT lesson or two, teaches what everyone needs to know to be successful. Don't give up; see the job through; learn to be self-sufficient.
Hope this makes sense.

Oh yeah, and don't blame others if you quit!! Forgot that.
Matt,
I know what you're talking about when you say how you feel after a grueling race. I felt that way after running my first 10K years ago and feel that way after a multi-round WOD!!
Especially when topped of with a Shiner!!