02 Nov 2021 | 6 mins
Overview
  • Yes - it is quite fitting that Gary Vee is the picture in this article. Not a coincidence 💪💯💳
  • Hustle culture isn't a long-term solution to being successful - it's toxic, explosive and not productive. Ask yourself, is what you're doing, filling your cup? 🚰

It’s the go hard or go home mindset. It’s the I’ll sleep when I’m dead. In the words of David Guetta, Ne-Yo and Akon: Work hard, play hard 🎶

But in all seriousness, the continuous stress of hustle culture can become extremely unhealthy. Hustle culture teaches people that overworking is the only way to succeed. We're working two jobs to get head, we get woken up by our triggering alarms, check our phones, head to the gym, make it to work or uni, eat between meetings or classes and take our work home with us. It’s exhausting but hey, we got sh*t done, right?

It’s a cycle that’s been set by society to collectively work stronger, harder and faster. It’s that sense of accomplishment knowing we maximised the 24 hours we had. We then front that we absolutely love what we do, no matter the pain and tiredness it causes us.

Elon Musk once tweeted:

Is he a billionaire? Yes. Does hustling work? Maybe, but let's talk about the problems and detrimental effects associated with hustle culture:

1. It’s toxic

By overworking and living up to the mantra of “rise and grind” creates a toxic environment where you’re overconsuming work, struggling to remain productive and losing sight of your values and goals. Hustlers become dependent on feeling the success of getting everything done and the cycle does not stop.

2. We feel guilty when we take breaks

If we spend too much time on anything non-work related, we’re feeling guilty. But isn’t it worth taking a moment or two to re-align? To ground ourselves? To do something we love, that isn’t measured by how much dosh we’re racking in?

3. We’re not recharging properly

To grind and exert ourselves at our maximum capacity sounds tiring. Yep, it is. By recharging, I don’t just mean getting a full 8-hours sleep. I mean putting your feet up after dinnertime. Taking a day off at the gym because you freaking deserve it. I mean refuelling yourself with some mindless wandering. You’ll feel balanced and you’re protecting yourself from burning out.

@pricelesstay Sometimes it be like that though #career #sidehustle #elonmusk ♬ Chiquitita x Twilight - twibytez

4. We’re lowering our productivity and creativity

Unfortunately, we associate productivity with the amount of hours we work each day. If you’re losing motivation or not putting in as much effort, that doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy it - it means you’re overworked and something needs to change.

5. We’re not seeing the bigger picture

We get lost along the way of what we actually want to do and tbh... it’s a little sad. Aside from the dramatised nature of Jobs or The Wolf of Wall Street, we know that repercussions come out when we lose sight of our passion, so always take a step back.

6. It’s explosive

Hustle culture is all about go, go, go. You’re building up to a day when you call in sick or just completely burn out all together - it’s a bottle that keeps filling until you’ve had enough.

7. It’s easy to become addictive

When you’ve had your first taste at the fast pace, stress of work = reward and money, it can be hard to let go.

8. You’re not focusing on what you value

The work-life balance can be a hard one to divvy up but in hustle culture, you’re not spending a lot of time with your loved ones. You’re not going on holiday or attending to your veggie patch (mine is dead, btw). There is a possibility you won’t be able to do the things you value in the future, so working out that balance is a must.

@itsjessicahawks The 40 hour work week is making us LESS productive. credit to @feelslikehomeee #GossipGirlHere #workfromhome #workonline ♬ original sound - Jessica Hawks

9. You’re only money driven

Sure, money is cool but is it what makes you happy? Does it fill your cup? Will you let it define who you are?

10. You are not enjoying life to the fullest

Hustle culture is all about looking forward to the payoff, but when is that exactly? If you’re continuously working or following a strict routine, when are you going to stop?

The concept of hustle culture is a cycle that has no end. There is merit in taking a step back, making your waking hours as productive as possible and being fully present without feeling expected to hustle harder. It will affect your mental and physical well being so make sure you’re not getting caught up in the hype.