Can’t Knock the Hustle (But Maybe We Should)

When Jay-Z said “I’m just making short-term goals when the weather folds” in his 1996 hit with Mary J Blige, he summed up hustle culture for me.

(“Can’t Knock the Hustle” for those of you who don’t have a sneaky 90’s hip-hop playlist on your Spotify)

Hustling, grinding, disrupting — all of these things have three things in common:

1. They’re overused (and dare I say…a little cliche?) phrases in entrepreneurship.
2. They focus on short-term goals.
3. They can be addictive.

Not all of this is good. And not all of this is benefiting your business in the long-term.

Addicted to the Hustle

Hustling can be addictive. The same way problems can be.

But what’s the connection between the two? Hustling and problems.

They both make us feel significant, as though we’re “achieving something.” These are core human needs.

We all love ticking things off our to-do list (whether it’s a metaphorical or physical list). And hustling, firefighting, and problem-solving; these allow us to do just that.

Being “busy” makes us feel important, which fulfills the core human need of significance.

It also allows us to connect without the fear of rejection.

We think we’re more relatable by appearing overworked and shrugging it off. Saying “gotta keep hustling, you know how it is” — even if we’re extremely successful.

When you have your own business, everyone has to hustle (even if you don’t want to admit it). Taking significance from your work and working hard is just what it takes, and that’s great.

But when it becomes an addiction, it’s not healthy. Nor does it help you with growth.

When you’re addicted to the hustle you:

• Cling to the same old patterns, even when your situation changes
• Keep on hustling way too hard, even when you don’t have to
• Keep yourselves busy with tasks that are far below your hourly rate
• Get worked up over non-significant business issues

Sound familiar?

That’s ok. It’s normal. It’s common to see business owners hustling WAY too hard, even when it’s no longer necessary.

When you’re stuck in hustle addiction, it can be hard to see a way out.

Kicking the Hustle Habit

Successful business owners have the resources available to unplug. To remove themselves from the grind and elevate themselves to the next level. To work ON their business not IN it.

And yet, often they don’t.

They’re consumed with the hustle. They’re defined by it.

Working all the time and keeping “busy” 24/7 are just what you have to do to be successful, right?

WRONG.

You’re probably working more than you have to and keeping yourself occupied with “busy” work. You’d likely be better off focusing on growth strategies and the bigger picture instead. But hustling is a habit, and one that we all must kick when the time comes.

If you want to reach new heights of prosperity, you must evolve — professionally and personally.

You have the opportunity to challenge and elevate yourself as a visionary.

By doing this, you’ll open up a new level of abundance, purpose, and prosperity, all of which you haven’t been able to access because of your hustle addiction.

I’ve seen countless businesses thrive as their owner transforms from busy hustler into a true entrepreneur.

Ready to stop hustling and start growing?

Let me share some resources and strategies to help you break free from the hustle and level up — get in touch on social media @nateGinsburg on IG and Facebook.com/nateginsburg