Work is Not School (via)

This was an interesting read with some useful advice on how to not go crazy at work. I've worked at lots of places and even the best of them come with their share of problems. It seems like there's just something about trying to get a large number of humans to coordinate on achieving a common goal that never goes very well.

The section on focusing on what you can control rings particularly true to me, especially this:

An easy way to burn out is to focus relentlessly on things you care about but cannot actually influence.

I realized a while ago that burnout isn't caused by overwork alone. Some of the most rewarding and fulfilling chapters of my life have also been the busiest. Burnout comes from the combination of overwork and lack of meaning. Working hard can be fine for a time if you feel like it's worthwhile. Working hard on something with no payoff or benefit and that you feel is pointless is what will slowly kill you.