> Working hard in the mailroom or stocking shelves at a grocery store isn’t going to translate into a successful software career
Right, but it might lead to satisfaction regardless. Even the most menial positions are often rewarded. I have worked a few menial jobs, and effort is even more important. When I worked hard and went the extra mile when required, I got rewarded with better shifts, more flexibility and more respect. It also personally felt good.
I find that people who don't work hard and are apathetic about the work they do are often deeply unhappy, while people that take pride in their work and work hard are satisfied. The best feeling I get in the day is after a grueling workout. There are health benefits sure, but its not worth the amount of discomfort and suffering I have to endure. If there were a pill that gave me the same benefits, I would be less satisfied than putting in the work. But maybe that's just me.
People who work hard often have better personal circumstances as well. Who would want to be with a partner that just spends their life going through the motions with no real purpose or drive?
> Putting the extra effort into a menial job isn't "a grueling workout", it's mortgaging your body and health for a price you'll regret in 20 years.
Maybe if you're working grueling construction jobs or consuming fast food and soda for 3 meals a day because you're too busy for anything else.
However, having worked in an industry with a lot of people who are on their feet and doing physical work throughout the day, I've come to realize that sedentary jobs like programming are a huge risk to long-term health. Sitting at a desk all day every day takes a toll on the body. The people who were active and moving about every day for decades are still in good physical health years later. The people who sit at desks all day (without compensating with exercise) accumulate a lot of health problems and weight gain if they're not careful.
I don't know what to tell you if you think that. I guess don't put in effort in a menial job? Just quit, slack off and post on HN instead?
I don't think menial work leads to "mortgaging your body". Some jobs sure, but those very physically demanding jobs pay well because the alternative would be a job that pays equally as poorly and is not physically demanding. You can always default to working at a grocer or fast food job.
Those factory jobs at Amazon that are fairly grueling pay a lot better than similar jobs in those areas w/ that skill set. People don't really work them very long either due to the demands. So you can do that for a few years, make more money and hopefully invest it in building out a more valuable skill-set or give better opportunities to your children.
That's honestly the only thing you can optimize for: do the very best you can at what you are doing. Take care of what is right in front of you. You'll be fulfilled, and in many world-lines you will also be successful. But also, when you are resting, rest thoroughly. Don't just rest to work more later or try to scheme this or that in your day dreams. Just let go of the effort and relax.
Great point. I've actually done some of my hardest work for hobbies, volunteer positions, or just helping friends with huge projects. And I loved every minute of it. There's a lot to be said for being able to appreciate accomplishing things and working together with other people.
I've had good success hiring some bootcamp grads for this reason. Some of them may not have the years of experience that senior candidates or even college grads might have, but you can find a lot of hard working and highly motivated people among bootcamp grads.
This is especially true for those who came from careers that involved a lot of hard work or manual labor. It's refreshing to work with people who enjoy getting things done and can appreciate how lucky we all are to be able to sit in air conditioned offices and type on computers all day. Contrast this with some of the perpetually disgruntled college grads I've seen lately who think we're taking advantage of them unless we pay them Google L6 compensation that they saw on levels.fyi .
Right, but it might lead to satisfaction regardless. Even the most menial positions are often rewarded. I have worked a few menial jobs, and effort is even more important. When I worked hard and went the extra mile when required, I got rewarded with better shifts, more flexibility and more respect. It also personally felt good.
I find that people who don't work hard and are apathetic about the work they do are often deeply unhappy, while people that take pride in their work and work hard are satisfied. The best feeling I get in the day is after a grueling workout. There are health benefits sure, but its not worth the amount of discomfort and suffering I have to endure. If there were a pill that gave me the same benefits, I would be less satisfied than putting in the work. But maybe that's just me.
People who work hard often have better personal circumstances as well. Who would want to be with a partner that just spends their life going through the motions with no real purpose or drive?