This archive report was first published on 17 June 2020.
The Dark Side of Hustle Culture ¶
As an entrepreneur, you're more likely than the rest of the population to fall victim to the 'hustle culture', a phenomenon that promotes constant working and devoting most of your time to the pursuit of 'success'. But what's the real cost of this relentless striving?
According to Dr. April Wilson, chair of the preventative medicine department at Loma Linda University Health in California, 'hustle culture is about being a human doing rather than a human being, which is dangerous in many ways.'
One survey found that approximately half of all CEOs get less than six hours of sleep per night, but this comes at a price. Hustle culture is costing plenty of entrepreneurs their physical and mental health.
So, how can you be a successful entrepreneur without falling prey to the hustle culture? Here are some tips:
- Get adequate nightly sleep. According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at the Harvard Medical School, the short-term productivity gains from skipping sleep to work are quickly washed away by the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation for days to come.
- Take a 30-minute power nap when you feel overwhelmed. Studies have shown that short daytime naps can improve cognitive test scores.
- Learn how to delegate tasks to your employees or out-sourced service providers. Delegation is a major key in maximising your productivity and keeping yourself sane during tight deadlines and huge workloads.
- Take care of your physical health. Engage in a basic level of physical fitness and eat a healthy diet to keep your body healthy and better able to handle the demands of the entrepreneur lifestyle.
- Remind yourself why you started the business. What is your vision? What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? Learn what you can from your competitors but avoid being drawn into unhealthy competition.
By prioritizing your physical and mental health, you'll be better equipped to succeed in the long run. As the saying goes, 'take care of your body. It is the only place you have to live.'
