There are 2 things you can get paid for in IT.

You can get paid for your time.

Or you can get paid with your mind.

With your time you get promoted by being busy. And taking on all the projects.

With your mind, you get promoted by taking on leveraged projects.

I used to work with a guy named Tim. Tim was a hard worker. He did everything he could to show he was a hard worker. He was on the phone all day. People would visit Tim with all their IT issues. And Tim would fix their issues.

He worked over 20 years in tech without ever making 6-figures.

But he loved that job.

I see that, and am completely repulsed.

There's no way I would want to build my friend circle from people I work with. Everyone is out for themselves - you see it when they try to get promoted, or when you leave the company. It's rare for friendships to last after.

That's the problem with working endlessly to no end. Your busy-ness might give you a social life at work but it won't last. And most of all, you're likely not effective.

On the other hand, there is another kind of busy-ness. One with a purpose. Especially in the beginning where you must build the credibility for your effectiveness to show.

But that can only take you so far. It ends up becoming multi-year path where you still get paid for your time.

If you want to get paid for being available, then take advantage of the stillness where you find moments of boredom at work. Don't try to find busy work. Rather, think of the best leverage.

The more you use your mind for effectiveness and leveraged projects, the more skillful you become at getting paid with your mind.

Yours truly,
CyberAndChill