Why Hustle is a Terrible Strategy for Introverts and HSPs (Podcast)

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If you’re an introvert or highly sensitive person then it may well be that you love creating things. You’re a sucker for a good creative project, an interesting hobby, or even a side business that you can get your teeth into. There’s something innately fun about bringing new things into existence and seeing the affect you can have on developing ideas. You find yourself naturally drawn towards creative hustle.

You might be someone who, when you connect with something, you throw yourself into it…big style. Perhaps you lose hours at a time. Maybe even days. In the zone, beavering away without awareness of time’s passing. Once you get focussed, “hustle” comes naturally. Maybe even too naturally!

How do you maintain a healthy rhythm when you’re working on something new and interesting? Are you able to keep perspective and set boundaries around your projects so that you come up for air every so often?

If you’re anything like me then this can be an issue. And I bet you feel the tug between a desire to do interesting, meaningful things, and a need to stay sane, healthy and socially connected to those around you. It’s all too easy to let other things go neglected and get out of hand while you pour your heart and soul into this point of focus.

Lack of “Hustle” Isn’t The Problem

Have you heard the word “hustle” used to positively describe the mindset of people who make things happen?

It has become a desirable trait for people to develop if you want to get things done and work on the stuff that matters to you.

For example, the notion of “side hustle” tells you to use those moments in the margins of life. Never waste a minute. Utilise your lunch break at work to write emails, jump on social media, make phone calls. Go to bed an hour later to create content for your blog. Squeeze the juice out of every second you’ve been given. Never waste time, or else don’t complain.

But this mindset carries some inherent dangers and insidious risks. It can create an attitude of self-abuse which manifests in certain ways. For example:

An Inability to Switch Off
Working Harder Not Smarter
Using People and Loving Tools (rather than the other way around)
Becoming a Taker Rather than a Giver
Being Out of Whack with Your Natural Rhythms

There are times when it is necessary and appropriate to work a bit harder to get something done. Hustle in this respect can be a positive trait, because it is grounded in a focus on making something specific happen at a certain time. However, this only works if it’s the exception, not the rule.

When it becomes a default state of being, it can be ruinous to our health, our relationships, and even our sense of identity. We become so associated with doing, that we lose sight of how to just be.

Where is this mindset coming from?

Society’s Attitude Towards Doing and Rest
Our Own Tendency to Add More (without taking away)
The Noise of the Online World
Relationship-Building Through Social Media
The “Truth” of Hustle as The Route to Success

Surely There’s Another Way…

In this episode I share some alternative ways of thinking about, and approaching your tasks so that you don’t get caught in the unending Hustle Mindset. You will be equipped with questions and ideas to help you live with more clarity about what’s important so that you can stay focussed on the important stuff: self-care, relationships, and your health.

Over to You

What do you think of when you hear the word hustle in the context of getting stuff done and becoming successful? I’d love to hear what you think. Please leave your response in the comments below.