Related to this, I read Daniel Graber’s “Bullshit Jobs” (there’s a book in addition to the essay, but the essay gets the point across just fine) and the essay the “Gervais Principle” and they really helped me understand the government and the corporate world early on in my career.<p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190906050523/http://www.strike.coop/bullshit-jobs/" rel="nofollow">https://web.archive.org/web/20190906050523/http://www.strike...</a><p><a href="https://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the-gervais-principle-or-the-office-according-to-the-office/" rel="nofollow">https://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the-gervais-principle-...</a><p>My personal takeaway was that much of our work involves complete BS. Either join a useful, innovative startup and make a difference or play your part in the farce and take your paycheck.<p>I still work hard in some roles, but now it’s to get a raise/bonus, or because I find the work fun. It’s not for the sake of working hard anymore. If you want to work hard, go dig a hole.