The Bar is Lower than You Think

Stop killing yourself at work for a pat on the head. Align your effort with the actual, depressingly low expectations and live a little.

Grift Guru

May 28, 2024 — 1 min read

Working smarter not harder.

tldr; Stop killing yourself at work for a pat on the head. Align your effort with the actual, depressingly low expectations and live a little.

Lets go

Ever feel like you're pouring your soul into your job only for it to be tossed into the corporate void? Newsflash: You're overdoing it. Most jobs don’t need the extra mile, and there’s no parade for overachievers. If you’re tired of the fruitless grind, it’s time to wise up and set your sights lower.

Realistic Example Scenarios

Uncover the Pathetic Reality:
Start by digging up what your employer actually expects. In some well-oiled corporate machines, this might be laid out with all the dull precision of a tax form. These expectations are typically set to coddle the mediocre masses. Embrace this mediocrity; it's your cue to streamline and automate without raising any eyebrows.
Chaos Is Your Playground:
Most companies are clueless about setting clear job expectations. They bungle onboarding, let SOPs collect dust, and their daily asks resemble a scattergun blast of nonsense. This disarray is your playground.
Exploit the Gaps:
In the fog of ambiguous expectations, seize control. Set your own bar comfortably low and make sure you always meet it. Here’s the blueprint:
- Identify Easy Wins: Gravitate towards tasks that are a breeze for you. These are your sweet spot.
- Fill Unmet Needs: Snatch up tasks others avoid and make them laughably simple through automation or strategic delegation.
- Leverage Human Weakness: Humans are inherently lazy and distracted. Use this to your advantage, streamline your workload, and cultivate an aura of productivity with minimal effort.
Automate and Delegate:
For tedious but essential tasks, find ways to automate. Use software tools or scripts to handle the grunt work. For tasks requiring a human touch but low in complexity, delegate to junior staff or outsource. Keep your hands clean and free for the occasional strategic move.

Remember: The key isn’t to work harder; it’s to game the system. Lower your bar, consistently meet it, and watch as your stress levels plummet and your life becomes your own again.

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