The value of schlepping

I’ve come to realise that some of the most valuable opportunities are often hidden behind what can only be described as “schlepping.” Schlepping refers to work that’s tedious, unglamorous, and seemingly low — leverage — the kind of tasks no one wants to do. Yet, it’s often in precisely this type of work that asymmetric value lies hidden.

That said, not all schlepping is worthwhile, and it’s rarely clear beforehand which efforts will pay off. Sometimes, you might end up stuck in a local maxima — investing effort into hard, seemingly productive work that ultimately leads nowhere meaningful. This is why honesty, measurable progress, and the willingness to pivot are crucial.

This idea aligns closely with the concept of doing things that don’t scale: embracing inefficient, unscalable tasks often uncovers opportunities others miss. By engaging with the work most people avoid, you might uncover the hidden value you’re seeking.

Paul Graham’s essay, *Schlep Blindness,* helped crystallise this feeling for me — not least by introducing me to the word “schlep” itself.