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Since so many people here are talking about how "in science it's different, you need to just chill out. Science is all about creativity and you shouldn't work h

Since so many people here are talking about how "in science it's different, you need to just chill out. Science is all about creativity and you shouldn't work hard if you're in a "creative business"", let me just leave this link here: https://terrytao.wordpress.com/career-advice/work-hard/ https://terrytao.wordpress.com/career-advice/work-hard/ If one of the best mathematicians of our time is saying "Work hard", it probably means more than some rando who writes for some blog. If you want to just "chill out" and live a fun life, feel free to do so, the world would suck if everybody worked hard. It's actually great that you guys decide to believe working less is good for achieving what you want, because the ones who actually know what's up have higher chance of success.

taocoyote 10y ago
I would argue that "working hard" and "working long hours" are not the same thing.
- zymhan 10y ago
  Yes, merely staying late to work every day won't lead to a breakthrough. Being so absorbed in your work that you forget to stop working is a by-product of really enjoying your work and wanting to learn more. You can't force enjoyment of (or a breakthrough in) a subject just by slaving away for hours after the office closes.
amag 10y ago
Breathing is not just inhaling, you also need to exhale.
antognini 10y ago
I think Terry Tao's advice is consistent with the original article: > There is an important distinction between “working hard” and “maximising the number of hours during which one works” ... Generally speaking, it is better to try to arrange a few hours of high-quality working time, when one is motivated, energetic, prepared, and free from distraction, than to try to cram into one’s schedule a large number of hours of low-quality working time when one or more of the above four factors are not present.

taocoyote 10y ago

I would argue that "working hard" and "working long hours" are not the same thing.

zymhan 10y ago
Yes, merely staying late to work every day won't lead to a breakthrough. Being so absorbed in your work that you forget to stop working is a by-product of really enjoying your work and wanting to learn more. You can't force enjoyment of (or a breakthrough in) a subject just by slaving away for hours after the office closes.

amag 10y ago

Breathing is not just inhaling, you also need to exhale.

antognini 10y ago

I think Terry Tao's advice is consistent with the original article: > There is an important distinction between “working hard” and “maximising the number of hours during which one works” ... Generally speaking, it is better to try to arrange a few hours of high-quality working time, when one is motivated, energetic, prepared, and free from distraction, than to try to cram into one’s schedule a large number of hours of low-quality working time when one or more of the above four factors are not present.