{"id":104478,"date":"2023-06-03T14:11:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-03T18:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=104478"},"modified":"2023-06-07T11:26:46","modified_gmt":"2023-06-07T15:26:46","slug":"work-as-hard-as-you-possibly-can","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/work-as-hard-as-you-possibly-can\/","title":{"rendered":"Work as Hard as You Possibly Can: Beyond Order Rule 7"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you go in too many directions at once? What could you achieve if you focused on depth rather than breadth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life<\/em><\/em> is Jordan B. Peterson\u2019s practical guide to navigating the chaos of today’s world and living a life of excellence. It’s a sequel to 12 Rules for Life<\/em>. Beyond Order<\/em> Rule 7 is this: Work as hard as you possibly can on at least one thing and see what happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continue reading to learn more about the value of commitment, consistency, and single-mindedness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Beyond Order<\/em>: Rule 7<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While following your conscience may work wonders, doing so is no use if you aren\u2019t consistent. Consistency, Peterson argues, is a necessary precondition of success. You won\u2019t get anywhere if you don\u2019t commit to something and stick to that path. That’s the background for Beyond Order<\/em> Rule 7: Work as hard as you possibly can on at least one thing and see what happens.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peterson offers some practical advice. To become consistent, pick a direction and stay the course single-mindedly. As you go, you\u2019ll need to confront the trials and challenges of that path. According to Peterson, these challenges will test your commitment and show you what you\u2019re made of. When you give yourself no options but to follow through, that pressure will make you strong enough to handle anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Finding deep, consistent focus is a common theme in self-help. In Hyperfocus<\/em><\/a>, for instance, Chris Bailey discusses how managing your attention is the key to success<\/a>. Bailey suggests sorting your tasks into a four-quadrant matrix<\/a>\u2014Unnecessary, Distracting, Necessary, and Meaningful\u2014so that you can cut down on unimportant tasks that scatter your attention. This could also help you measure your commitment to your path\u2014for example, you could track the amount of time you spend in each quadrant to see if you\u2019re avoiding the work that needs doing or confronting it head-on, as Peterson advises.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, Peterson explains, limitations create freedom.<\/strong> There isn\u2019t enough time to become everything you might want to be. But, if you don\u2019t choose any<\/em> path, you won\u2019t become anything at all. By instead committing to a path at the expense of all others, you guarantee that you\u2019ll become something<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Even when you do find the right path for you, don\u2019t confuse staying focused with being rigid. As Robert Greene explains in Mastery<\/em><\/a>, we\u2019re all at risk of growing stiff and dogmatic as we grow older<\/a>. To avoid this, he recommends stretching against<\/em> the traditional rules and limitations of your path or field<\/a> (after you\u2019ve first mastered them, of course). Specifically, Greene suggests that techniques such as taking time to be unfocused and practicing free association can help you stay flexible and not fall into a rigid rut that you mistake for your path<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related Beyond Order<\/em> Rules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Beyond Order<\/em> Rule 7 can be grouped together with three other rules from the book. Each one fits the theme of personal responsibility. Let’s take a quick look at the three related rules:<\/p>\n\n\n\n