Stop Grinding, Start Living
Ah, hustle culture... The sweet, misguided belief that sacrificing sleep, fun, and basic human decency will unlock the gates to success faster than you can say, "Elon Musk's bedtime routine."
Let me paint a picture for you:
It's 5:59 AM, and you've slept a whopping negative one minute because, apparently, sleep is for losers. Now, you're back at it, grinding angrily, convinced that this is the secret sauce to success. Spoiler alert: it's not. It's more like expired mayo...
Why Hustle 24/7 is a Losing Game
Let's start with a confession. Over the last three years, I've started multiple businesses. And you know what? They all failed. Why? Because I bought into the hustle-hard-or-die-trying mindset. I thought being perpetually angry, overworked, and on edge was the golden ticket to making it big. Turns out, it's just the golden ticket to exhaustion and family dinners where you're physically present but mentally strategizing your next big failure.
Here's the thing: Success doesn't mean hating yourself into greatness. Let's use everyone's favorite podcaster, Joe Rogan, as an example. Does he look like he's grinding angrily 24/7? Nope. He's relaxed, cracking jokes, and having a great time. That's why he's magnetic. People are drawn to him because he radiates effortless fun, not sleep-deprived rage.
Let's talk about goals. There are 2 types: front-facing and back-facing.
- Front-facing goals are public—like content creation, public speaking, or, dare I say, trying to be the next Joe Rogan.
- Back-facing goals are solo endeavors—like coding, writing, meditation, or working out.
Here's why hustle culture ruins both:
Say you want to be a YouTuber... You're fueled by a motivational video that's 90% shouting ("Stay hard!" 😜) and start grinding 16 hours a day. What happens? Your videos end up looking like a sleep-deprived, on-edge person ranting into a camera. Not a vibe, right? Contrast that with someone who gets a solid eight hours of sleep, shoots hoops with friends, and then films—they're bringing energy and positivity, and viewers will flock to that like moths to a flame.
Now for back-facing goals. Maybe you're a writer, holed up in your room for days on end. You think it's fine because you're working solo. Wrong. You're conditioning yourself, like Pavlov's dogs, but instead of associating a bell with food, you're linking work with stress, anger, and dread. Every time you sit down to write, your brain is screaming, "No thanks!" The result? Less creativity, less motivation, and an overwhelming urge to yeet your laptop out the window.
Even hustle culture's unofficial mascot, Andrew Tate, isn't grinding angrily 24/7. Watch his content. He's racing cars, laughing with friends, going to podcasts, and doing dumb challenges. Sure, he's working, but he's also enjoying the ride—literally.
So, what's the solution? Stop treating work like a punishment. Start treating it like something you actually enjoy. Schedule enough hours to make progress, but carve out time for hobbies, family, and friends. Go to events, play sports, and live a little. Success isn't just about the grind; it's about having stories to tell when you're pitching to investors or chatting with clients.
And don't kid yourself about how 'strong' your mind is. If you feel resistance every time you start working, that's a neon sign that your brain's association with work is more toxic than a reality TV show.
Look at the most successful people you admire. They have one thing in common: They're chill. They work hard when it's time, but also know when to kick back and enjoy life. Success is a marathon, not a sprint, and you can't run it with a perpetual scowl.
Here's my challenge: For the next week, create a routine that blends work with play. See how you feel. Spoiler: You'll likely be more productive, creative, and closer to your goals than ever. So, ditch the hustle rage and embrace the joy. Success isn't about grinding angrily; it's about grinding smartly and living fully.
Now you know. Stop grinding, the hustle culture is lying to you. Working 24/7 isn't the answer. Thanks for reading. Dosvidaniya!