Outwork everyone

Recently, I found myself engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with a close friend of mine, Harris. We were contemplating, hypothetically, our next professional step.

More specifically, we focused on how an individual can maintain superior quality and high standards in their work when stepping into a new organization.

Having spent eight years at efood, I have accumulated a vast amount of contextual knowledge and experience. Naturally, this puts any newcomer, no matter how competent, at a relative disadvantage. It may even seem unfair.

We came with a conclusion. The best way to uphold high standards as a newcomer is not just to work hard, work smart or both.

The best way is to outwork everyone.

Let me clarify, this is not about competition. Outworking others does not imply measuring their working hours of others and then merely adding a bit more to it. It's also not about simply being a hard worker since it does not necessarily means more working hours. Last but not least, this is the best way, not the only way.

Outworking is a mindset.

It begins with outworking yourself.

Outworking is hard, hence the competition is low.

Outworking isn't about office politics. It's purely about the work you produce.

Outworking is not luck. You can’t control luck (you can only nudge it).

Outworking is correlated with high quality deliverables & deep work.

Outworking is about being both passionate and disciplined professional.

If you have the mindset of outworking, your effort will definitely will be worthwhile, regardless the result.

It may not sound glamorous. Some might perceive it as potentially toxic (though I assure you, it is not), or even dismiss it as a cliché.

However, the truth remains - outworking is the best way forward, at least for everyone that want to thrive.

Last note: Outworking does not mean no-life.

Relevant posts: