Reading rank 375
How to Work Hard
, subject: Hard work and great work, 2021
Paul Graham's essay How to Work Hard looks at what hard work means when the goal is self-imposed and not yet clearly defined.
33
Coverage Score
3
Scored evidence
About this work
Graham examines how ability, interest, discipline, and self-directed effort combine when someone tries to do unusually ambitious work.
Why read it
Best if you are working toward a goal you set yourself and are still figuring out what that goal is.
Key themes
- Goals no one else sets
- Working before the aim is clear
Evidence and original sources
Sources: official Founders episodes — #276, #314
This record is supported by 3 public evidence rows linked to original Founders episodes.
- Paul Graham’s Essays Part 2 — David introduces 'How to Work Hard' as another excellent Paul Graham essay before covering it in depth.
- Paul Graham (How To Do Great Work) — David calls How to Work Hard 'another great essay' and links it for listeners.