Modern work is a game, a theatre performance. These are the rules:

- Perceived performance matters more than actual output

- Complete deliverables quickly and well — then work on your own stuff

- Make your line manager's life easy so they leave you alone

- Never volunteer for more than is asked

- A spreadsheet looks like ‘work’ from anywhere in the room

‘Working hard’ at work is keeping you poor in everything that actually matters. Don’t exhaust yourself trying to win on effort; the game rewards performers.