What Is Your Proof of Work?

There are many people who doom themselves with their own words. These people will say “I’ll go to the gym tomorrow.” “I hate my job, I’m gonna put in my two weeks tomorrow.” “I’m going to write that book.” among other things, but these people never actually go through with it. We’ve all seen this person. Hell, I’m sure we’ve all been this person. A decent swath of the population has a tendency to say instead of do, talking the talk but not walking the walk. Oddly enough when it comes to the Bitcoin space we encounter a lot more doers instead of sayers. It’s not “I’m gonna make a movie.”, It’s “I made a movie.” It’s not “I want to write a book.”, It’s “I made a book.” I could use more examples but I feel like the point has been made. Bitcoiners believe in the Proof of Work not just in the Bitcoin protocol, but in life as well.

For the uninformed reading this piece, Proof of Work is the mechanism that the Bitcoin protocol uses to maintain consensus in the network and determine who earns new coins. At the base level, computers are essentially guessing a number correctly from a certain set number to win a block i.e. a number out of 1000. The more computers guessing this number the larger the set, thus increasing the difficulty of winning a block. There is more minutiae to it than this brief description but the basic premise of Proof of Work is: you can’t make money for free, you have to put time and resources to earn it. In my short time in the Bitcoin space, the term “Proof of Work Lifestyle” has been said to me and also mentioned in group discussions. “It all depends on how hungry you are.” If you want something, in Bitcoin you don’t just say what you want, you put in the work to get what you want. 

I think this is one of the beautiful things about Bitcoin. You are encouraged to provide proof of work, to provide value to the world around you. For this writer, my proof of work is writing pieces that can invoke an emotion or feel punchy and profound. I try, however, to remain humble and know there’s always room for growth. Writing should just as well have a hold on the reader as any good piece of art or particularly well crafted meme. This is my proof of work, but you may have another way of showing proof of work, sometimes it’s as simple as being humble and stacking sats while you mine fiat at a job that you’re particularly skilled in or passionate about. But don’t consider this piece to be an encouragement to stretch yourself thin trying to constantly provide value, you aren’t a machine. Sometimes we need rest, sometimes we miss a deadline, sometimes life throws a curve. This may read as the earlier statements above, but I’d assert that this is certainly not the same as “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Because you’ve been doing it, you’re not telling yourself that to make yourself feel better. You’re telling yourself that because it’s the truth. You’re a Bitcoiner. You are a doer.

I firmly believe Bitcoin has what it takes to win. Bitcoin is backed by many people who realize what must be done to help ensure Bitcoin succeeds and they do it. Bitcoin is inevitable not just because of its technology, but also because of the people proving their work every day making Bitcoin the money that will succeed above all others. My question to you, and feel free to answer in the comments.

“What is your proof of work?”

If you can’t answer and don’t think you provide value for others, that’s okay! There’s always room for growth! Consider picking up a new skill, craft, or hobby. These are things that can be entertaining but also provide value to that new community you’re a part of. Take the leap and start that media project you’ve been working on. Non-Fiction is great for educating and Fiction moves people’s souls. Start going to the gym, working on yourself will clear your mind and improve your other aspects of life. The last one may not seem like the others but it’s providing value to yourself, you earned it. Remember, the people who got things done didn’t say “I’ll do it tomorrow.” They got things done by doing it today. 

Go out there and be your own Proof of Work.