Last week this informational reflection focused on multi-tasking and briefly discussed why multi-tasking is not all it has been boosted to be. Although there are numerous available studies on this topic, the blog was supported by two research focused on multi-tasking’s role in slower productivity and lower intelligent quotient (IQ). Today, the perception of hustling is debated.
A recent article read, discussed that the pandemic has caused many to continue hustling. There are others who started hustling for the same purpose as those who did it before. Reasons mainly grounded in the need to make a living. However, what are the mental and physical effects of continuous hustling? Some say it is necessary to survive, while others say there must be a another equitable and just way for some in society to exist. The first part of this discussion on hustle focuses on what it is, and shares some perceptions of modern-day (2020-21) hustling.
In the year 2000 and after, the idea of hustling became an important factor in work-life balance. So many were consistently on the go to try to make ends meet, take a vacation, or live a good life. In this consultancy, when traveling, there are times when transportation from the airport is necessary. In ride-sharing discussions it is apparent that some drivers do so for a living or as a side-hustle. As of 2020, hustling was often considered chic. In fact, in some individuals it was believed that those who did not hustle, were just not ambitious enough. To be a go-getter, was the theme!
However, within the Covid-19 pandemic, it seems the once supported method of what it means to hustle and the ramifications of this were not in favor of the good life, after all. From young to old, numerous articles, research, and verbal discussions, showed that people who were supportive of consistent hustling, had second thoughts.
The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary describes hustle as:
Hustle comes from the Dutch word husselen, meaning “to shake,” reflected in the earliest use of the word in English, as a verb, with much the same meaning. The verb soon took on extended meanings, including “to crowd or push roughly,” “to obtain by energetic activity,” and “to obtain money by fraud or deception.” The noun use of hustle followed a path similar to that of the verb, moving from “an act of jostling” to “a job” and “a swindle.”
Here, it is considered in the context of work or job.
Hustle originally meant “to shake”. Shaking anything continuously, will often produce some form of change. In some individuals, this change comes/came as burn out.
In her book Jacinta M. Jiménez wrote heavily on burn out and the importance of checking “steady-pulse practices”. She wrote:
“It’s one this to be successful, but if your definition of success means achieving at a cost of your personal vitality, I’d challenge you to question your definition. I’m not here to say working harder and working smarter aren’t good strategies at certain times; what I’m say is that in today’s always-on-and-connected world, if you aren’t regularly working to engage in a systematic approach to fostering resilience (aka steady-pulse practices), your efforts to work harder and/or smarter will be fleeting.”
She continues:
“Having a steady personal pulse is not just a “nice to have” or an “afterthought” that only gets tended to when you’re feeling run down. In today’s world of work, it is an imperative practice to ensure that you can perform at your best. Not only this, personal pulse practices are what will enable you to remain engaged, gritty, and productive over the long haul—in both work and life.” (pg. Introduction).
It is important to note that hustle is not always apparent to specific cultures. For instead it is a course taken by many whose motive is often financial, fame, or merit. However, hustling in most cases is ruled by the financial needs of those who struggle.
More discussion on ‘hustle’ is represented in next week’s reflection where different human impacts to measure-up, are given. Some areas of just-equity are also discussed. As in multi-tasking, hustling can be maintained and controlled to produced successful results. However, meeting these ends, require different mindsets and work applications.
