Hustle! The Freedom From The Need to Be Busy

Written by Leigh Martinuzzi

“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”

Hustle! This word has become common tongue in our culture. We’ve become a society obsessed with being busy. Why is there a need to always be so busy? What’s the reason? What is the cause? Is all this “busyness” necessary? Is it tearing our lives apart? Is hustle purposeful to progress?

An excellent place to start is to differentiate between being productive versus being busy. As we unfold specific characteristics of each type, we will discover the secrets to finding freedom from our need to be “busy.”

Busy people are on a mission to prove themselves yet without purpose. The culture of hustle can have a goal however I feel most people who “hustle” do it out of a need to scratch their ego. How do we belong in a culture of busy people – we become busy ourselves.

Having a sense of urgency is great. Who doesn’t want to accomplish goals and move towards the life that they desire at a fast pace? Exigency without purpose ends in a life lived without actually living it.

We become a victim of being busy. So much so that we miss out on the real experience of life. Busy people move at quickly whereas productive people move with focus and clarity.

One person runs to the shop to collect milk. Along the way, he becomes distracted by all the noise and misses opportunities. Torn in many different directions along the way, unable to say no to temptation he forgets his purpose. Ignoring what he came to do and without pausing to think of what it was, he keeps running.

The other man runs too, focused and clear on the task at hand. He is undeterred by the external demands and all at the same time able to breathe in every moment. If the opportunity for milk presents itself early, he’ll notice it and take it. He is aware of his priorities and comfortable to say no to invites that don’t meet this purpose.

Busy people don’t have enough time in the day. They have too many goals and unable to prioritise. They allow external demands to infiltrate their goals. They hustle only to keep their head above the waters.

Trying to juggle too many balls at once we become less effective. Focus on what you want to achieve and focus on precisely those activities that will best get you there. If you are in massive demand, learn to say no. It is your time. It is your life. Knowing your purpose and where your attention need be, you will understand when to say yes and when to say no.

Purpose comes from understanding why. Why is this necessary? Why is this purposeful? When we are clear about our future vision, our dreams and our goals, we know what actions and behaviours will take us there. In this way, we can eliminate the clutter. Avoid the noise and distractions. Manage to say no. And let go of the hustle. Keep it simple!

It is not necessary for us to be busy. Those people that look super busy, always running from one thing to the next, trying to multitask, they are the ones who are generally less effective. Busy people wear out quickly. Overwhelmed, stressed and filled with anxiety and unease they shut down.

Those who are mindful and appear to be calm and composed are more able to get in a state of flow. A mental state of clarity and being in the zone. Flow is characterised by complete absorption in what we do. Feelings of energised focus, enjoyment, involved, seamless, selfless and ease. Productive people can focus and work for hours without noticing the passing of time. At the end still feeling energised and fresh.

Productive people don’t need to express to the outer world that they are busy or love to hustle. Busy people speak of being busy. Productive people do not need to, their results speak for themselves.

Hustle is purposeful to our progress. It keeps us moving forward. However, hustle without purpose is damaging and wasteful. Is it tearing our lives apart? Perhaps not. Yet being busy for the sake of being busy is not going to take you towards the life you want to live. It will leave you looking back at your experience wondering, “For what was all the hustle?”

Further Reading and Resources 

TED Talks: Ideas worth spreading

Psychology Today: Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody’s favourite subject – Ourselves

Life Hack: Tips for Life

Elite Daily: The Voice of Generation Y

Four Hour Work Week: How to escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich.

The Minimalists: How to pursue a minimalist lifestyle and be happier.

Mind Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Brain

Rich Roll: Plantpowered Wellness Advocate

The Art of Charm: Build confidence, feel comfortable and networking differently.

American Psychological Association: The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United State

The Art of Manliness: Encouraging men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens.

Tiny Buddha: Simple wisdom for complex lives.

Brain Pickings: An inventory of cross-disciplinary interestingness, spanning art, science, design, history, philosophy, and more.

Mind Body Green: Lifestyle media brand dedicated to inspiring you to live your best life.

Zen Habits: Find simplicity and mindfulness in life.

Creative NonFiction: “true stories well told.” 

Addicted 2 Success: Motivation & Inspiration Website full of quotes and inspiring articles for entrepreneurs.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree: science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.

The Positivity Blog: Practical articles on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and social skills.