Nietzsche on work: the best policeman.
Nietzsche on work, in 1881, argued that praising work keeps everyone in check. In his view, it consumes nervous energy that would otherwise go into reflection, dreaming and desire for independence. So feeling no ambition may mean your ambition has nowhere to go and nothing left to get there on.
Exhausted people are manageable people.
Nietzsche on work was an attack on people who praised industriousness as a virtue. In his view, their real purpose was a fear of all that is individual. For this reason, work, he said, is the best police. Indeed, it consumes an extraordinary amount of nervous energy. As a result, that energy is withdrawn from reflection, brooding, dreaming, cares, love and hatred.
Two honest limits on Nietzsche on work.
First, this is the author's use of him, not Nietzsche's argument. After all, he never discussed working for yourself. In fact, he might have said it consumes more nervous energy, not less. Also, the surrounding pages contain contempt for ordinary people. Therefore this is one aphorism taken from a book whose politics the author does not share.
No ambition or no energy left.
Still, the observation stands on its own. After all, if work takes the energy for wanting, flatness may not mean emptiness. Instead, your ambition may simply have nowhere to go. So ask yourself which one you are on a Wednesday. Because the answer changes the problem, it is worth checking honestly.
Apply Nietzsche on work to your own week.
On Wednesday evening, write how much energy you have left for wanting anything.
Then note one thing you would think about if work had not used up your nervous energy.
From the book.
But the observation stands on its own, and it's the reason this chapter exists. If the work takes the energy that would otherwise go into wanting something, then a person who feels nothing much most of the time may not be a person without ambition. They may be a person whose ambition has nowhere to go and nothing left to get there on. Which one are you, on a Wednesday?
I Want to Start a Business but I Can't Quit My Job, chapter 5: Stuck is not the same as ready
Questions about Nietzsche on work.
Did Nietzsche on work include running your own business?
No. In fact, he never discusses working for yourself, and he might have said it consumes even more energy.
Does feeling no ambition mean I have none?
Not necessarily. Instead, your ambition may have nowhere to go and nothing left to get there on.
Why quote Nietzsche despite his views?
Because one observation stands on its own. Even so, the author is clear he does not share the book's politics.
Read the whole chapter.
This lesson covers one section of chapter 5, “Stuck is not the same as ready”. The book goes further, with the full evidence, the stories and every exercise.
Lessons in this chapter.
- 01 Passed over for promotion: when skill is not the issue.
- 02 Opportunity vs necessity entrepreneurship: why it broke.
- 03 Test the job market: apply for three jobs.
- 04 Blocked mobility entrepreneurship: the three doors.
- 05 Why do employees really quit: the shock that starts it.
- 06 Nietzsche on work: the best policeman.
- 07 Immigrant self employment: the price of a shut door.
- 08 Running away from your job: does it disqualify you.