This is such a relevant topic especially in today’s time when the whole world is grappling with the pandemic. And this discussion could not have come at a better time when the whole world is grappling with the pandemic. Last two years have seen a massive increase in the hustle culture. Employees are scared of saying no, companies have increased the time you need to be productive.
Work Life Balance
Unfortunately we don’t come from a place where we have been taught about work life balance, on the contrary we have always had the culture which shows if you want to grow in your career never say no and also spend more time than your peer. This has given way to mental health issues which is also considered a taboo. I mean we still can’t write an email to the HR complaining if our boss is making us work for 12 hrs.’ because it might affect our next promotion.
In the trying times its all the more important that we give importance to mental health, self-care and gratitude. We must try and rationally discuss things with our reporting managers, inform and educate them through company policies and in fact we must all root for the companies to have policies which not only define the working hours but also adhere to these.
I remember when I was starting my career , the advice that I got from my mentors was always be the first one to say yes so that the management knows you are open to learn and adapt. This seems like a good advice, but we must also understand all this comes at what cost.
‘Hustle Culture’ is defined as how “busy and productive” one has to be to be successful in life. It propagates to 12- 14 hour workday lifestyle, with every hour being spent doing something “productive and important for your career.” It causes you to feel pleased with juggling 1,000,000 things at just one occasion. Taking an opportunity is for the weak, the less-talented lot. Self-care is frowned upon. The fact that influential people like Elon Musk uses his influence to advocate this kind of toxic hustle culture only adds to its popularity and engages this culture even more. Hustle culture is not something that should be promoted ever. When things feel heavy acknowledge them rather than pretending that it is ok. Understand that ‘You are more than your biggest achievement at work’ ‘You are more than a dress size’ ‘You are more than your biggest failure’ this is what it meant to be ‘more than.’ At the end of it eventually for becoming a better person and someone who is self-aware, WHO you are matters in life more than WHAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED.
How to overcome toxic productivity and the hustle culture.
Understand that it is ok to say NO. Take time off to for yourself to reorganize processes, extended deadlines, and revise expectations so that even the client or your manager is aware of your situation. Bring awareness towards this inside your own circle. Establish boundaries and stick with them even though in the beginning you might find this really hard.
Finally in the year 2021, let’s hope we find that place within ourselves where work and peace of mind coexist and the work life balance co-exist — where we have more idle moments to cherish without a to-do list to fix or accomplish.
