Redefining Excellence: Hustle Culture vs. Actual Peak Performance.

Do you ever feel like a hamster on a wheel, endlessly spinning and struggling to make progress, all while facing bouts of burnout, distress, and professional letdowns? That, my friend, is the harsh reality of being caught up in the rat race.

As a creative professional, I’ve experienced firsthand the pressure and expectations that come with hustle culture. The world around us glorifies nonstop hustle and constant obsession, making it crucial for us to redefine what true peak performance means.

With that said, I want to share these eye-opening lists originally crafted by the insightful Brad Stulberg. They shed light on the stark contrast between the false promises of hustle culture and the actual keys to sustained success. It’s time to challenge the narrative, prioritize our well-being, and discover the path to genuine excellence.

Hustle Culture Peak Performance:
• Sleep when I die
• Up at 5 AM to cold plunge
• Supplements for everything
• Secrets and hacks
• Crazy diets
• Obsession at all costs
• Someone is always out to get me
• New fads every week
• Surface level understanding

Actual Peak Performance:
• Hard work
• Appropriate rest
• Close-knit community
• Periods of boredom
• Unglamorous
• No secrets — what you see is all there is
• Rests on a foundation of health
• Ebbs and flows
• Relentless consistency

As creative professionals, we inherently understand the value of authenticity, hard work, and holistic well-being. It’s time to prioritize rest, nurture a supportive community, and maintain unwavering consistency. By doing so, we can truly unlock our potential and redefine success on our own terms.

I want to credit the insightful Brad Stulberg for creating these thought-provoking lists.