Why You Never Work Hard Enough

A guide to chronic inadequacy.

Austin, Texas — Photo by MJ

This year, I worked my ass off.

Here are some of the highlights of this year in just input:

• 35 matches in competition

• 161 articles published on Substack

• Several hundred atomic essays (IG/X posts)

• Filmed and released an instructional

• Finished my first book

• Ghostwrote for 11 X creators and began ghostwriting books

It was one of the busiest years of my life.

Christmas week, I put my foot on the brakes a little. I didn’t do much except write things I wanted to (my year-end reflection, mainly), eat cake, drink wine, and spend time with my family and my girlfriend.

I tried to relax, but boy was it hard.

Every time I opened my phone and went on social media, someone in the hustle-obsessed Jiu-Jitsu community was posting about how they’re “grinding” even on Christmas, how taking time off during the holidays is for the weak, and basically how if you do anything that isn’t training or working, you’re a pussy.

Here’s what I have to say about that.