[branchless]

I think for me the fundamental problem is I don't have a big stake in my work as a regular employee. You just can't make yourself run at full throttle for 8 hours a day 5 days a week, plus (unpaid) overtime.

Work is getting stupid now. All the gains go to someone else for most people.

Everyone says they "tried X for a few weeks but let it lapse". Is this because ultimately we cannot work full throttle without big incentives?

Yes we all have fear as a driver but I find this wears off quick.