The Hustle Dilemma

Hi there,

We are closing in on the end of July, which means summer has officially started here in Europe. It’s going to be a very short summer because, for the last few weeks, it’s been raining and the temperature has stayed under 20 degrees, so it didn’t really feel like summer. Personally, I’m excited for a short summer because I don’t enjoy the sun as much as others. Maybe that’s because I spent most of my life under the scorching sun in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Today, I want to talk about work ethics and work culture. But first, let’s dive into our weekly inventory check.

Weekly Inventory Check

This is almost the last week of July, with about 10 days left. I want to ensure that you have a clear idea of what you really want to achieve this month and a clear prioritization of what you need to deliver. People often overcommit to many things and spread their focus thin. While some thrive in multitasking, most don’t, and even those who do are not working optimally. So, I encourage you to focus on one thing you want to accomplish first before moving on to the next.

The Hustle Dilemma

I’ve been pondering over the concept of hustle culture for a while now. I’ve written a couple of newsletters on it, and I’m still confused by it. What confuses me is how rewarding it feels even when you’re not seeing tangible results.

Take my example: right now, I’m hustling and bustling, but I don’t have much to show for it yet. I haven’t made money off this endeavor. I’m building my presence and ideas, which will take time. On the side, I’m doing other things I enjoy that also don’t make money. When I tell people about all these projects, they don’t criticize the lack of immediate results. Instead, they celebrate the effort and hustle.

This week, I had a conversation with Stefan about quiet quitting. We discussed how it differs from working in the US and Europe. He mentioned something fascinating: he said our work culture still operates as if we’re in a state of war. Subconsciously, we act as if we must deliver more for our company or country to survive. This fight-or-flight response keeps us hustling, even when we don’t need to live that way anymore.

I need to learn more to understand why we do this and become more aware. It’s something for you to think about as well. Why do we maintain this war-like work culture? Is it a leftover from the manufacturing world where hours worked mattered more than output? Now, it’s all about output, but some people still feel the need to stay busy without delivering meaningful results.

I’m curious about your thoughts on this. Why do you think we have the work culture we do? How do you navigate it? Send me your thoughts—I read every reply. This is part of our journey to becoming more aware of our actions and motivations as humans.

Want More?

Discover the pitfalls of hustle culture and find a balanced approach in ‘The Hustle Lie: Confessions of a Reformed Workaholic.’

Explore the toxic side of hustle culture and how it can sabotage success in ‘The Poisonous Antidote to Success: The Hustle Culture.’

Reimagine productivity and challenge the norms of hustle culture in ‘Rethinking Productivity and the Hustle Culture.’

Reel of the Week

Check this out! It’s a common misconception that people from colder climates are more uptight, punctual, and driven to achieve the best results, while those from warmer climates tend to be more laid back and less intense about work schedules. But is there any truth to these stereotypes, or are they just oversimplifications of complex cultural differences?

Instagram post by @ahadbudhani

The Weekly Vasl Podcast

Our episode on Are You Unknowingly Creating Quiet Quitters in Your Team? is out now. This Friday, I was joined by my good friend Stefan, whom I met during one of our philosophical group sessions. As members of the corporate world, Stefan and I are no strangers to the concept of ‘quiet quitting.’ This phenomenon has become increasingly prevalent and can no longer be ignored in any office environment. Many employees experience this dilemma silently, without discussing it openly. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, quiet quitting was relatively uncommon. However, the term gained traction in 2022, particularly amongst Gen Z, as the pandemic triggered ‘The Great Resignation.’ It’s clear that quiet quitting emerged as a silent trend during this period of significant workplace change. Join us as we delve into this topic and explore its implications in today’s corporate landscape.

Thoughts to Leave You With

As we navigate our work culture and ethics, consider this: Is our drive for constant hustle a remnant of outdated survival instincts, or is it a reflection of our true ambitions and values? Reflect on how this mindset impacts your work and well-being. Are you truly thriving, or merely surviving?