If you’re feeling burned out, you’re not alone. According to a sobering study by Deloitte, a staggering 77% of people have experienced burnout in their jobs. That’s right—more than 3 out of 4 of us are running on fumes. And get this–42% of those people got so burned out they got up and left their jobs.
You’d think freelancers or home-based workers might be immune, but don’t kid yourself; I’ve found that’s rarely the case. If you’re anything like me, juggling a business, multiple projects, and family life can leave you feeling like you’re hanging by a thread.
The constant need to hustle, hustle, hustle is burning us ALL out!
But the good news? There’s a better way. A way that honors your life stage, your needs, and your vision of success.
In this video, I’m handing you a permission slip to stop berating yourself for not being “far enough” along in your journey. A permission slip to define success on your terms and live a life that actually fuels your well-being instead of draining it.
If you’re tired of the never-ending hustle and want to redefine success in a way that’s genuinely sustainable, check out this video where you’ll learn:
- What exactly “hustle culture” is
- The negative impacts of the hustle culture
- 8 practical ways to ditch the hustle culture and still achieve success
You can watch the video or read on for the main points.
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What Is Hustle Culture?
Hustle culture isn’t just about grinding away to reach your goals. It involves a significant imbalance in life priorities:
- Putting work before personal life Your personal life takes a backseat.
- Working long hours Racking up ungodly hours is seen as a badge of honor.
- Making sacrifices Say goodbye to self-care, family, and hobbies.
The result? A lifestyle that threatens both your physical and mental health.
The Toxicity of the Hustle Culture
“Hustle Bros” or “Grind Gurus” often perpetuate toxic content under the guise of motivational content, pushing a definition of success that equates only with financial or social capital.
The biggest impact of the hustle culture is on overall personal well-being. It usually results in burnout, which takes a toll on physical health and mental well-being. It also can lead to toxic productivity, which means that valuing self-worth solely on output.
From my viewpoint, being anti-hustle doesn’t mean that:
- You won’t have to work hard.
- You won’t need discipline.
- You won’t have to leave your comfort zone.
- You won’t have to persevere when times get tough.
- You won’t need to make some sacrifices.
- If something feels difficult, you shouldn’t do it.
The main tenet of the anti-hustle culture, as I see it, is to prioritize your health and well-being above all else.
8 Practical Ways to Ditch the Hustle Mentality
If you’re ready to wave goodbye to sacrificing your own well-being for the constant grind, here are 8 practical ways you can do this AND still achieve success. In fact, every suggestion in this list is not only an act of self-care, but a way to actually increase your overall productivity.
In some instances it might feel like things are taking longer to achieve, but because your output will be sustainable, you’ll be able to achieve more over the long haul.
1. Embrace the Concept of Slow Productivity (Cal Newport-Style)
If you’re like me, juggling multiple projects used to be the norm. But since I started following Cal Newport’s idea of slow productivity, my approach has changed. I now focus on just 1-2 projects per month. This means when something new and shiny comes along, I weigh it against my current objectives. If it doesn’t align, it gets parked for next month’s consideration.
This targeted focus lets me dive into what Newport calls “deep work;” those high-concentration tasks that really move the needle.
2. Take Regular, Frequent Breaks (Headaches Be Gone!)
I used to ignore the signs my body was giving me. Headaches became part of my daily routine for the first half of this year. My turning point? Timers.
Setting a timer for 90 minutes of work followed by a 12-minute tech-free break transformed my physical health. By afternoon, I adjust to 60-minute intervals because, let’s be real, the bandwidth diminishes by then.
3. Create a Container Around Your Working Hours
I maintain a daily routine starting around 9 am and ending about 5 or 5:30 pm, with a break to recharge and take a walk. This container around my work helps keep my personal life and mental health in balance. I even have a small ritual of spending 10 minutes lying on my bed in silence before diving into family time and making dinner.
4. Increase Your Mental Space
Ever feel like your mind is an overcrowded room? Reducing input creates space for innovative thoughts. I’ve turned off notifications and limited my time on social media.
Trust me, once you cut out the information overload from endless podcasts and toxic productivity, your brain will thank you.
5. Delegate Like a Pro
Staying in your zone of genius makes a huge difference. Delegate the rest, both at home and at work. I started by outsourcing 2-5 hours a week of admin work, and it was a game-changer.
6. Regulate Your Nervous System
Listen to your body. My favorites? Deep breathing exercises and walks for movement. And don’t underestimate the power of physical touch—I pet my dog during breaks.
One of the biggest impacts on my well-being came when I started incorporating laughter into my daily routine. A little stand-up comedy goes a long way.
7. Create a Sanctuary to Rest and Recharge
Your environment plays a huge role in your mental state. I’ve made my workspace a haven with aromatherapy, candles, and soft lighting.
At night, I do a turndown service for myself. It might sound quirky, but these small joys add up.
8. Accept and Respect the Limits of Your Current Season of Life
I used to work around the clock when I was scaling my self-publishing business. Fast forward to having two kids, and those hours are no longer sustainable without negatively impacting my health. Different seasons of life come with different capacities for hustle. Give yourself the grace to adjust.
This approach has shifted me away from the hustle mentality toward something more sustainable. It might not be the secret to success sold by hustle gurus, but it’s a version of success that values personal growth, mental space, and physical health over burnout culture.
In the past, the hustle mentality may have dominated conversations around the definition of success and the pursuit of it, but it’s time to break free. By setting healthy boundaries, respecting your physical and mental health, and focusing on personal growth, you can redefine your version of success and live a more fulfilling life.
Remember, the aim is to live a balanced life. No one wins when the price of success is your well-being.
If you’re ready to ditch the hustle culture and embrace a life that prioritizes you, I invite you to check out my weekly newsletter focused on business and lifestyle design for the creative and “secretly sensitive” entrepreneurs who want to do less but better.
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