The 40 hours of steady work every week no longer fits the working model. Knowledge workers are like athletes.
- Train
- Compete
- Rest
- Repeat
Building a career and developing as a person is not about steady work, every day, through most of the week until we die.
Growth (in this context) through gruelling periods of training, intense bursts of competition, and thoughtful rest.
Naval has already popularized this. So, what’s next?
Most people go wrong when they over-index into one of these phases. I’ve done the same.
Too much time training?
You’re never actually testing yourself in the real world. There’s no application of what you’re doing.
Like a boxer that never competes, your body and mind don’t adjust for the fights. The pressure, the crowd, the overthinking that occurs among the inexperienced creeps in.
Spend all your time studying and practicing for work you’re not actually doing and you will fall behind.
Too much time competing without training?
How far would a boxer get in a fight if they’re not training properly? How many beatings would they take before realizing the value of a good training camp?
Knowledge work is much in the same. Too much time in the big leagues without study and practice leaves a lot of opportunity (and money) on the table — the results aren’t nearly as good as they could’ve been.
Too much rest?
This one is obvious. You can only watch so much game-tape before you have to step in the ring. Watching tape won’t save you in a fight.
Your body and mind aren’t prepared. What’s left?
These are people who talk a big game but haven’t done anything.
Don’t let this be you.
Balance is everything
Everyone needs a slightly different balance of all three.
Without it, we can only go so far. We will plateau.
Find your balance.
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