Working “for the man” is exhausting. Most people, most of the time, want to minimise the amount of work required to unlock the reward. Usually the reward is salary and benefits.
I find that the entire mental calculus changes when you’re working primarily for yourself.
I’ve found two ways to do it.
- Make sure that your workplace provides enough opportunity to grow that it’s genuinely worth putting in extra effort to grow more as a human.
- Actually own the thing you’re building. Partially or completely. The more ownership, the more stamina increases.
Turns out most people have incredibly deep energy reserves, IF those reserves are tapped primarily on things that feel like they matter. Things you build for yourself.