I was a frustrating student.
“Kemp, if you put more effort in, you would get top of the class”
(I went to one of those schools that did Latin and called everyone by their last name)
It was funny, because I was getting good marks anyway.
They could have been better but I couldn’t see the cost/benefit in putting in hours of study to get 10% better.
I’ve always questioned the concept of work. What it means and what it is. I’ve described myself as strategically lazy, as I find ways to achieve large amounts with the minimal amount of effort.
I see people busting their asses. The Grinders. Putting in the hours. Bemoaning their busyness. And seemingly getting no further ahead. Needlessly sacrificing themselves and their family at the alter of achievement.
Then there is a small group who are just getting it done. The Flow. Not grinding long hours. Making it look effortless.
I know why.
One group works hard and the other works hard.
But their definitions are different.
The Grinders have carried over the definition of work from school. Busy work. Put the hours in. Do everything.
It’s just how it is. Take every call. Reply to every email. Spend hours tweaking their new logo.
Keep your head down and the rewards will come.
The Flow are the opposite. They spend time creating.
Studying. Writing. Thinking. Looking for the edge.
Putting their heads up and test their ideas in the court of public opinion.
The Grinders don’t want to expose their ideas.
The Flow do.
The Grinders would rather be busy in the shadows. Avoiding the emotional hard work and sacrificing this precious thing called time.
The Flow accept the emotional hard work. The risk of criticism and comparison that comes so naturally to many. And they get the hard work done to spend their time where it matters to them.
Hard work is essential.
Unavoidable.
But the choice between flow and grind is yours.
