I think I have been a 10x programmer having being called that and I am like that because it suits my work style. Its hard for me to work slow. But its also not possible to be 10x all the time - I am mostly that way in the early phases of the project and the X multiplier gradually comes down to 1 or 2. For example - when it comes to defect fixing in somebody else&#x27;s code, devops and monotonous stuff - I might be less than 1x.<p>However, I have noticed that whenever I am called 10X guy, something happens and I ultimately end up to being 1x or leaving the company. The following are kind of negative thoughts&#x2F;symptoms that occurred<p>1. In most companies - it means doing 10 times work while getting paid just 5-20% higher instead of 10 times higher (here 10 is just an example multiplier).<p>2. It means I am a workaholic - and others enjoying the benefits of my work because of (1)<p>3. The above two can potentially result into toxicity build up within me and then within the team. It does happen occasionally and I have to work harder to avoid it.<p>4. You are not with your own kind (like species on a mental plane and not race&#x2F;religion) and your growth is limited. I ended up leaving companies or teams when I was called out-performer consistently - not because I was an out performer, but because I was not learning much from the team. 
(On 4) - I tried to stay in one company like this, because it was hard for them to fire me for obvious reasons. Ultimately I got fed up after few years. I also unsuccessfully tried to get fired by deliberately underperforming, because the severance was too good - but they wouldn&#x27;t derate me or fire me. Finally I resigned and left on good terms. Retrospectively thinking, I wasted those few precious years of my life<p>5. One gets used to elitism - and that is a very bad thing. It closes the persons mind. I remember how I disregarded an amazing solution from a junior team member because I was comfortable with my way of doing things. Unfortunately, I realized the mistake a bit too late.<p>6. If I am a rabbit I am constantly worried about the turtles - they will beat me with consistent performance over longer run because I will get bored of the race.<p>Also, I don&#x27;t think having a 10x engineer in a team as a good thing. And if everybody is 10x, then nobody is - which can be good.