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This is starting to remind me of health and fitness "advice". Every day there's a new article "debunking" yesterday's claims, in favor of something that will be

This is starting to remind me of health and fitness "advice". Every day there's a new article "debunking" yesterday's claims, in favor of something that will be "debunked" in another week. Here's some advice - work hard, do your best, say "yes" to as many opportunities as possible, and be kind. You'll make out in the end.

logfromblammo 11y ago
Personal anecdote indicates that "work hard" and "do your best" have slight negative correlation to a positive observed outcome in some workplaces. Minor titration efforts suggest that "appear to work at slightly above the observed median level of effort" and "if doing your best and following orders conflict, follow the orders" work better in practice. This strategy has yielded more positive performance reviews than opening up full throttle. It depends a lot on workplace culture. Save your best efforts for personal projects, or for a company of which you own at least a whole 1%. Companies in this decade generally do not reward competence or diligence, or respect vocational passion. If your specific company does, then by all means, give them your best. Otherwise, don't cast your pearls before swine. Definitely be kind and pursue many opportunities.
- ComteDeLaFere 11y ago
  Well said, but my opinion is that you should move away from thinking that success is a "positive performance review". I've found that "work hard" and "do your best" work well in combination with the other two thoughts, not so much on their own. It's a package.
  - logfromblammo 11y ago
    I have been rather too busy avoiding failure lately to even know what success is--at least in terms of my career. Positive performance reviews help me to continue putting food on the table while I try to find something better for my life. And leaving at the end of the day with a good portion of my creative energy left unspent gives me more options when I get home. You need to be able to work hard do your best in some aspect of your life to be happy. But it might have to be something other than your job.

logfromblammo 11y ago

Personal anecdote indicates that "work hard" and "do your best" have slight negative correlation to a positive observed outcome in some workplaces. Minor titration efforts suggest that "appear to work at slightly above the observed median level of effort" and "if doing your best and following orders conflict, follow the orders" work better in practice. This strategy has yielded more positive performance reviews than opening up full throttle. It depends a lot on workplace culture. Save your best efforts for personal projects, or for a company of which you own at least a whole 1%. Companies in this decade generally do not reward competence or diligence, or respect vocational passion. If your specific company does, then by all means, give them your best. Otherwise, don't cast your pearls before swine. Definitely be kind and pursue many opportunities.

ComteDeLaFere 11y ago
Well said, but my opinion is that you should move away from thinking that success is a "positive performance review". I've found that "work hard" and "do your best" work well in combination with the other two thoughts, not so much on their own. It's a package.
- logfromblammo 11y ago
  I have been rather too busy avoiding failure lately to even know what success is--at least in terms of my career. Positive performance reviews help me to continue putting food on the table while I try to find something better for my life. And leaving at the end of the day with a good portion of my creative energy left unspent gives me more options when I get home. You need to be able to work hard do your best in some aspect of your life to be happy. But it might have to be something other than your job.