Tapping into Anti-Hustle Culture

There has to be more to life?

Our generation (and the next) seems to thrive on the notion of hustle hard and show all of your hard work off socially. When did we get so obsessed with the idea of showcasing the hustle more than doing the work itself? To me, it feels counterproductive to over exert yourself in your day job, that in the best way put feels like you’re fighting fires purely to showcase the smoke at the end.

I have overextended myself over the last few weeks, only 6 weeks into the year and it is scary how drained I already feel. This is year five and for me it is a constant reminder of how ‘hard’ I have to go, in order to make this the best year yet. It goes without saying that the feeling of failure gives me anxiety but also failure at this stage is a dark path that I would never want to walk. Luckily for me, my obscene work ethic means that failure isn’t an option…

I am starting to learn that how hard I work isn’t always reflected instantly in the way I want it to appear. I sit up at night ideating future plans for myself and my business, I constantly look at ways to evolve my craft and create new streams of income both personally and professionally but this is probably why the results feel lack lustre. I am burning through the ideas all with the goal of getting to the other side and moving on to the next. This has been embedded in me since I started working in this industry many years ago and it is a cycle that I am excited to break.

There is a new generation of hard workers and it doesn’t start and end with how many hours you sit at your desk, how early you start or finish and definitely not how social facing your achievements are. The new generation is focused on the balance of work and your well-being. That idea of ‘Rise and Grind’ is still very much valid for whoever wants it but for the most part that ‘overwork yourself until there is nothing left’ goes against everything anti-hustle culture stands for.

It doesn’t mean slack, it doesn’t mean leaving tasks incomplete or dropping the ball on your future plans. It means being mindful of how your energy is transferred, keeping the balance and being intentional about how you approach your work. The work ethic internally built still simmers away and allows you to give it your all but at the same time your traditional hustle until I am all out of gas culture can take a backseat.

This year, I want to pour into year five. I want this year to feel like something I can look back on and be proud of, whether that looks like expansion, more personal time off or less moments at my desk. Whatever it means, I will be exactly where I need to be - Hustling as hard as I need to in that moment.

Have a great week!