Hustle porn – glorifying the grind

by Jul 14, 2022

Regular question. Have you started a side hustle?

But be careful …hustle porn is addictive and is taking over 

 

There is a lot of content on social media about starting side hustles. For the uninitiated, this is taking on work as a freelancer or launching a small business in addition to your regular job.

Because you don’t have enough to do right?

For some, they might be test-driving an idea that they can later convert into a business as an entrepreneur with the intention of giving up their full-time job. There is nothing wrong with that and many people have successfully gone down that path before taking a leap into the world of business.

It is a guilt tripping question. But can you take it too far?

What is hustle porn?

“Hustle porn” is valuing the idea and practice of “busyness” for its own sake, also known as sacrifice culture which actually kills people.  This can be done equally in any environment – corporate entrepreneurial/corporate hybrid or as a business owner. Think Goldman Sachs and the 100-hour weeks.
Hustle is no longer a thing you do. It’s who you are.

The New York Times coined this phenomenon as “performative workaholism”, or the idea that we must glorify ambition not as part of who we are and what we do and a means to an end, but as a lifestyle. It is the end.  The underlying philosophy glorifies stress, struggle, and the grind of overwork.

I spoke to one woman recently who has four side hustles in addition to a full-time job

Something’s gotta give.  It was clear that she was heading for burnout.

 

Glorifying the grind

Be careful not to glamourise the side hustle culture by buying into the idea if you can’t manage that extreme level of activity, there is something wrong with you. Being over-stretched has many downsides including neglecting self-care, your health, and relationships. I saw a post exhorting people not to waste a weekend, suggesting that time can be used for building a side hustle or additional study .. to reskilll and build a side hustle. This is OK if you can genuinely reprioritise.

There is nothing cool about the “weekends are for wimps” philosophy

The idea of making six figures while you sleep by putting in a few hours a day extra is compelling. That in reality is 21 hours a week and on top of all the additional things you do in a week can tip the balance. It’s also unlikely that you are going to make six figures overnight. You wish.

Weekends can also be used for relaxation and stepping back and reflection. Remember that old-fashioned idea? Not everyone is cut out or has the capacity for this type of over-achieving and we shouldn’t be guilt-tripped into going down that path.

Alexis Ohanian  Founder of Reddit said in 2018

“It is this idea that unless you are suffering, unless you are grinding, unless you are working every hour of every day and posting about it on Instagram, you’re not working hard enough. It’s such bullsh*t, such utter bullsh*t.”

Create a strategy

Of course everything will depend on your end goals. As an interim step, working on building, strengthening, or repositioning your personal brand to see what opportunities are out there can also be a good solution.

Being strategic and measurede may not add to your suffering but can help get you where you want to be in a structured way and in one piece emotionally and physically.

 

Need support creating a career plan that prioritises your time and energy? Set up a discovery call NOW ! Email [email protected]

 

Staff Writer: Career Contributor
3Plus welcomes any writers to join 3Plus as a Staff Writer. If you are an expert in Job Search, Career and Mentoring or just want to share your experiences, contact us! We would love to give you a voice!

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