# Proof of work, explained

URL: https://gocutline.com/glossary/proof-of-work/

In personal and career terms, proof of work means evidence of what you actually did (projects shipped, hours put in, results produced) rather than claims about yourself. The phrase borrows from computing, where it means work that others can easily verify.

## What it means
A portfolio, a GitHub history and a public record of training are all proof of work: they let someone check instead of trust. For effort and consistency, a calendar record is one of the few sources of evidence most people already produce.

## How to do it in a calendar
- Plan your weeks in blocks and tick off what you finish.
- Share a weekly summary: hours by category, blocks done, streak.
- Publish a [verified CV](https://gocutline.com/verified-cv/) when you need to show it to someone who does not know you.

## An example
A junior developer applying for jobs shares a verified CV with 900 hours of coding over a year, a 70-day streak and links to three shipped projects.

## Common mistakes
- **Proof without honesty.** Label self-recorded time as self-recorded; that is what makes the rest credible.

## Questions

**Is a calendar record really proof?**
It is evidence of planning and follow-through over time. It is strongest next to things others can see, like shipped work, and when it carries a verification code.

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Cutline: Cutline is a weekly calendar and planner that turns time blocks into XP, levels and streaks. You plan your week in blocks, tick each one off when it is done, and see your progress on a social feed (the Floor) and a weekly leaderboard (the Arena). Planning and budgeting are free; paid plans add a badge, posting, messaging, shared calendars and lower selling fees, from $9 a month. Pro is free to try for 7 days.
Facts: https://gocutline.com/facts/ · Updated 2026-10-23