Not attempting very onerous | Seth’s Weblog

This isn’t the identical as not working very onerous. In truth, they’re very totally different.

We’ve been indoctrinated to keep away from attempting onerous (too dangerous and emotionally fraught) and to resign ourselves to working onerous (held up as a advantage).

Individuals who work in productivity-focused jobs the place they comply with the handbook work very onerous. If you happen to purchase a Subway franchise, you’re shopping for years of onerous work–the extra hours you place in, the higher your income. If you happen to work on an meeting line–making chocolate or writing code–the boss pushes you to work tougher and tougher.

Alternatively, there are tasks the place the outcomes are much less sure and the place the handbook isn’t as full. In these kinds of tasks, we have to use our judgment and perception. We do issues which may not work. There are few prizes for longer work, however loads of upside for higher work.

We’re surrounded by companies staffed by hard-working individuals who have been skilled to not attempt very onerous. So that they keep on with the coverage and keep away from innovation, buyer delight and connection.

Sarcastically, when it’s our flip to be the client, we frequently hunt down exactly the other. People are drawn to of us who care sufficient to attempt a bit tougher.

January 12, 2026