There's a distinction between hustle and wisdom.

· Bits and Bobs 9/22/25
  • There's a distinction between hustle and wisdom.
    • This distinction comes from Arthur Brook's From Strength to Strength.
    • Hustle is hard work, sweat on your brow.
      • No one could accuse you of being lazy.
    • Wisdom is nuanced insight, nudging something in a much better direction.
      • Someone not looking closely might think you're not working hard.
    • You need both hustle and wisdom to succeed, but at different times and in different proportions.
    • Hustle can help give you the raw material and experience to gain wisdom.
    • To gain wisdom you need to take the time to reflect after the hustle.
      • Perhaps 20% of your time.
    • If you're mainly focused on other people's perceptions, you'll over-rotate on hustle.
    • When you don't know if you have wisdom to bring to bear on a situation, you'll default to an option where at least onlookers won't think you're lazy.