I don’t know when the word hustle emerged in our lexicon as a good thing.
It is not a good thing.
It is not a proper way to live your life.
It’s not a proper way to be connected to the people you love.
And it certainly isn’t a good way to run a business.
But nonetheless, the side hustle remains a part of today’s gig economy. In a recent episode of Let’s Fix Work, Mary Ellen Slayter joined me to talk all about why the side hustle is failing you.
So what is the driving force behind the side hustle, anyway? According to Mary Ellen, it’s desperation and anxiety. One badly timed crisis can knock you off of your whole life. So many people are turning to side hustles to add to their income stream.
But maybe you don’t love having five jobs or chasing down invoices? Because who loves that, anyway? You still need to put food on the table and pay the bills though. So what are some ways to fight back against the side hustle mentality, yet still make ends meet?
Slow down.
In fact, Mary Ellen said that slowing down and reclaiming your sleep are some great defenses against the side hustle trap.
Another tip, listen and look closely at yourself, at your surroundings and be deliberate in what you are saying “Yes” to.
To paraphrase Mary Ellen, if you are doing something that empties your bucket, there better be a lot of money involved. Don’t drain your bucket for nothing.
If you’re interested in hearing about the side hustle (and why it’s actually no good) and thinking about solutions for the future of work, listen to my conversation with Mary Ellen Slayter.