Entrepreneurs get a lot of advice around working overtime for success. Never-ending dealing, long to-do list. Meals on-the-go, late-night work, weekend work, and day-night hustle.
Entrepreneurs, while solving a problem or creating an impact generlaly fall into a trap of using their passion as an excuse to overlook their health and well-being.
Hustle culture is a way of thinking, leading to behaviours that focus mainly on productivity, goals, and success, no matter what the cost. It has become a fashion today towork top deat or at least look like you are, that is why hustle culture is toxic. The human body requires sleep and rest, and they cannot be sacrificed. The people follow this hustle culture and keep sacrificing their sleep and rest, and end up burning out or getting sick.
Hustle culture promotes the concept of pushing hard, working more, and utilising all the available hours. It says that if we are not working until we drop, we are not working enough, and we cannot get things done.
Implications of Hustle Culture
Hustle culture has been glorified by startup owners and entrepreneurs mainly. Successful people and businessmen discuss the sacrifices they made to accomplish their objectives. For some time, it may seem a badge of honor, but we overlook the negative aspect. While hustling for our business idea or corporate job, we risk burnout, we face issues in relationships, and finally, we fall into the trap of putting productivity over our own self-care. The COVID-19 pandemic has made this more challenging by blurring the lines between work and personal lives.
Why Entrepreneurs Should Avoid Hustle Culture?
The startup culture today has become synonymous with hustle culture. It is an ill-defined excuse to work all hours without any limits.
Although it seems fascinating, no social objective or work can be worth your health. Entrepreneurs should focus on their sleep schedule and carve time for tasks like reading a book, listening to music, podcasting, and journaling.
Hustle culture brings a toxic impact on mental health, causing anxiety, guit and apathy. It mostly leads to physical exhaustion and increases the risk of sickness.
The Positive Change
Recently, Gen Z employees and entrepreneurs have been pushing for a change. The younger generations are prioritizing their mental health, setting boundaries with their employers, and getting rid of this hustle culture. This change is just not limited to Gen Z; professionals across all generations are feeling burned out to varying degrees. Their motivation level is going low due to a lack of sufficient salary, a lack of person time, extra responsibilities, and a lack of appreciation.
How to Safeguard Yourself from the Hustle Culture
First, define what success means to you. Ask yourself major questions to pinpoint your priorities, vision, and goals. Where do you want to reach in the next five or ten years?
Now, health boundaries apply whether you are an entrepreneur or an employee. Take regular breaks throughout the day to reduce your stress and let your mind rest. To maintain your mental health, make sure each day you do at least one activity to take care of yourself. This could be reading a book, going on a walk, working out, or spending time with friends and family. Always focus on positive parts; celebrate the small achievements.
Ultimately, whether or not you let go of the hustle culture completely depends on how much a critique of hustle culture aligns with your values and on a decision to do the inner work to live more in alignment with those values.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does hustle culture impact our lives?
Hustle culture affects our mental health, causing anxiety, depression, and stress. It also burnsout due to work-related stress and long working hours.
How to safeguard yourself from the hustle culture?
You can gett off from the hustle culture by following these healthy habits and achieving a work-life balance to feel good about. Focus on self-care, find a trusted mentor, and understand when to call it quits for the day.
