031: Say No to the Hustle

Starving Artist No More

I have a bit of a controversial thought to share: Hustling isn't a good thing. Allow me to explain why I say that. Hustling is all about working harder than everyone else and doing everything imaginable to get the job or gig or project or whatever. It's about sacrificing everything else on the altar of getting ahead. Hustling is what the "starving artist" mindset is all about, and you all know that I despise that mindset. Yes, as creative entrepreneurs, we do absolutely need to work hard. But working hard ALL THE TIME -- aka hustling -- is the opposite of helpful. Frankly, I hate hustling. Our best creative ideas come to us when we're allowing our mind the freedom to rest and be still. Creativity doesn't thrive when you're stressed and tired and frazzled and ... well ... starving. Yes, work hard, but work hard with balance and calm and intention. Work smarter, not harder. Today, we’re going to discuss how you can say no to the hustle.

In this episode, you will learn:

• What it means to hustle, and why hustling isn’t a good thing.
• How to reject the many negative aspects of hustle culture.
• Why the mindset you hold while you seek to grow your business will have long-term implications.
• How to let go of the guilt you feel when you’re not working.
• What strategies you can use to tackle your overwhelming task list and busy daily schedule.
• Why it’s important to prioritize your health and well-being.
• How saying no to the hustle can make a positive difference in your creative work and in your personal life.

In this episode, I mention that the Taming the Muse Group Workshop is getting underway in one week, on July 19, 2023. Registration is now open, and a few spots are still available. for the summer cohort of my group workshop. The workshop begins on July 19, 2023 and will meet weekly through the end of September.

I reference the Merriam-Webster definition for "hustle," and I mention two research articles regarding workplace well-being:

• Remote Workers Feel Productive but Also Guilty
• Impact of Workplace Stress

I also mention the book "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown.

A full transcript of this episode can be found here. Full transcripts of every episode will always be available at the Starving Artist No More Blog.

Thank you for listening. Please feel free to reach out to me at www.StarvingArtistNoMore.com, with any questions, comments, or feedback. I'd love to hear from you.