We’ve definitely heard of hustle culture. We’re sick and tired of hearing about hustle culture — am I right? Of course I am. Hustle culture is extreme. Extreme is quite fun, no lies there but it’s not very sustainable. It’s especially not sustainable if you are pushing yourself through work which bores you to death.
~ So ~
🙌 Welcome Slow Hustle! 🙌
This only appeared on my radar maybe three days ago! And as soon as I read what it was all about — dayumm— is what I thought.
This is exactly what I have just implemented into my life. The term ‘slow hustle’ is probably the most sustainable approach to working to achieve your goals that you’ll find on this vast planet. It’s a mindset that emphasises sustainability, balance and mindfulness of life. Rather than killing yourself to achieve your goals through hustling sixteen hours a day, it’s more focus oriented. This gives you the space to clearly define what it really is that you want your focus to be emphasised on — allowing for a much broader scope as work isn’t the only important aspect of ones life.
Quality over quantity is what slow hustle is all about. Deep work and prioritising a suite of protocols that kick your ass into gear. These protocols involve taking breaks and setting realistically achievable goals.
🎯 Goal Setting 🎯
Goals are important here — most of us set a massive goal, employ a little bit of effort into reaching it and five minutes later realise that the goal just isn’t worth the effort required to get there.
Just before New Year I decided to implement something called MonkMode. Yes yes, a lame name I know but I didn’t give it that name! I’ll be making a post all about it in a few days time where you can read just how I have set my protocols. Until then you can check this video out by Iman Ghidza — where I first learned about MonkMode.
I am using MonkMode to ensure I reach my goals this year, change old habits, create new habits and overall it is to improve my life. I created it in such a way that I would not be overwhelmed, to find a good balance whilst still pushing myself work-wise. Turns out what I had created fits perfectly into the idea of slow hustling!
🧠 Mindfulness 🧠
This practice is all about becoming more mindful. Being more present and instead of rushing, allowing for more time to go over the subject matter — whatever that may be.
‘Slowing down is sometimes the best way to speed up’ — Mike Vance
If you only give yourself two hours to work on an essay, sure it may seem rushed initially but when you get started, you’ll be incredibly surprised of what you can do in those couple hours.
Sort of like the idea of leaving your assignment for the last minute — forcefully finding the motivation to work on it. You are only allowing yourself a short amount of time to complete a task.
This can allow you to almost ‘super focus’ on the matter at hand and get-shit-done!
Side note*! This is not to be confused with rushing your work! The idea is to fully engage in ONE task and NOT worry about anything else. One hour of deep work a day can lead to a much greater result than 4 hours of a mediocre half-arsed effort. I will post a whole article dedicated to Deep Work soon, so hit that follow button to keep up with all the banger content coming out!
👩🎓🧑🎓 Mastering a single skill 👩🎓🧑🎓
With the idea of slowing doing to speed up comes the ability to master a single skill. I am sure you’ve heard of the saying ‘jack of all trades, master of none’. Well that sometimes isn’t all true but let’s just go with it literally for now — being a master at something puts you in front of everyone else. A master knows their craft inside out, left to right, right to left, backwards, upside down, you get the point.
Your insight on a certain subject as a master is dumbfounded by the those around you — sometimes even by yourself!
Focusing on a single skill can be a lot more effective than trying to master a whole bunch of things all at once and this ain’t no bukkake. So get passionate about your thing and fully engage in it.
With passion comes obsession which leads to incredible feats.
🎬 Let’s end this off here 🎬
Slow hustling is more than just finding a passion for something — it’s trying to find that obsession.
When you have an obsession for something you can work like a maniac and it will feel fun — or at least it won’t feel like you are necessarily working too hard.
It also allows you to do something for a prolonged period of time and I mean that in months and years rather than just hours.
Going the financial route, once you have reached a certain mastery with an obsession of yours you’ll much more easily be able to translate it into financial freedom by creating value for others.
Master deep work and you’ll be well on your way to mastery.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much. It’s greatly appreciated and I would love to hear your feedback in the comments, whether that be negative, positive or just wanting to say what’s up!
Consider following for more content — I’ve got a lot planned, this is just the beginning!
Hi Loughy
I love the idea of the slow hustle. I think it encourages consistency which leads to mastery, without burnout or, perhaps boredom.
Hey Olga, thanks for reading!
The longevity of the slow hustle that allows us to reach mastery without burnout is what I think makes it so powerful. Will have to see how this plays out over time though! Will be keeping an eye out for others utilising this approach.