If you can’t work smarter — work harder?

3 min readJan 8, 2021

“If you can’t work smarter, then you’d better work harder.”

^ This was the original title when I first drafted it in October 2020. At the time, I was attempting to juggle way too many projects with some insane notion that I was capable of superhuman multitasking that defied all science proving otherwise. I thought if I could just work harder, I could accomplish everything and somehow discreetly compensate for the fact that I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M DOING (🤫 don’t tell anybody). The result? I burned out and accomplished nothing. Every single project stalled, pivoted, or remains incomplete 3 months later. In fact, this post was one of the casualties of the “just keeping grinding” mentality as it was set aside and ignored in lieu of a 60-hour workweek, sleepless nights, and diminishing mental health. RIP.

So this is step one of a new year — a fresh start. It’s the first step of reflection after an unprecedented 2020. It’s looking forward to a new chapter. It’s a publicized artifact meant to hold me accountable and [maybe] inspire another. It’s the beginning of *drumroll*… 202WON 😏.

Daily Mantras

Everyone is just trying to do the best they can with what they know and have. Trust intentions as inherently good or remove them from your realm.
Recognize circumstances, seek perspective understanding, and offer to help, celebrate, or give space accordingly.
Hedonic adaption is human nature. Nothing is as bad as it seems. Nothing is as good as it seems. Be grateful. Be humble. Be willing to forgive yourself and others.
Learn something new. Try something new. Hate it. Love it. Just try it.

Values/Beliefs

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” ~ CS Lewis
In order to change the world, you must be the change you want to see in the world.
Lifelong learning is a major key to happiness, success, and fulfillment. Failure is the price. Pay the toll and try again.
Hard work rows the boat. Smart work sails the boat. Pay attention to the wind and adapt.
Communication solves problems. Communicate early, often, and honestly. But, talk less and listen more.
Attitude is the foundation of personality and highly contagious. Be optimistic, opportunistic, AND realistic.

2021 Vision

Professionally: To establish myself as a product leader who can successfully navigate the matrix and deliver impactful solutions.

Personally: Embrace minimalistic ideals and diversify my personal network.

Strategy

Professional

Talk to customers every week.
Learn how to discover and better define problems.
Change Customer Behavior <> Build Product <> Create Value

Personal

Condemn bigotry. Stick up for the marginalized.
Spend more time on experiences and less money on material possessions.
Make new friends through new experiences.
Less social media and more journaling!

Both

Be intentional about daily goals.
Practice active listening.
Look for opportunities to volunteer.

Weekly Retro

What’s my biggest accomplishment this week? What gave me the most energy?
What’s my biggest challenge right now? What drains my energy the most?
What do I wish I would have done differently this week? Why?
What are the top 3 learning lessons from this week?
How will I get 1% better next week?