A family member gave me a plaque as a teen that had a picture of a ceramic duck paddling through a pond with a caption that read “Make like a duck: look calm and cool on the surface and paddle like crazy underneath.” I loved it! It was the kind of motivation I needed as a lazy teenager.
And I certainly lived like that for many years since: constantly on the go, always working, juggling school, work travel, relationships, family, and everything in between.
But it all stopped for me when I had kids. These days I relish space and slowness. And I’m all for a half-baked approach if it will get me a few more winks of sleep.
So all this “hustle” hype that’s floating around lately has me thinking: can you really hustle your way to happiness?
“Want to finally get real freedom? Learn the secrets here!” #HustleHard
“People call themselves hard workers but most people simply don’t have what it takes.” #Hustle
“Skipping meals today to get the kids to all their sports. You do what you gotta do, right?!” #Hustle
“Sleep is for Suckers.” #HustleforLife
It’s glamorization of a new breed of rat race. Where sleep deprivation is glorified, full-tilt speed is prized, and relentless activity is branded as work ethic.
I like a mad dash to the finish line every now and then but the key is to finish. Be done. Call it and slow back down.
Bring on the ease. The flow. And a whole lot of effortless.
Hustlin’ your way to a life goal? How we operate on the way to our goal matters. It’s the journey that counts and any destination that has you postponing your happiness until you get there may need a second look.
What about you? What do you think about the “Hustle” hype? Is Hustle creeping into your life more than you’d like?
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