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Is the 'Hustle Culture' just a glorified Pyramid Scheme? (alien.top)

submitted 10 months ago by A707@alien.top to c/entrepreneur@indiehackers.space

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Hey, fellow entrepreneurs – brace yourself for a potentially uncomfortable question. Have you ever stopped to consider if the whole concept of 'hustle culture,' where you grind 24/7 and sacrifice everything for success, is not far off from the deceptive promise of a pyramid scheme?

Think about it. Pyramid schemes thrive on the idea that if you just work hard enough and recruit sufficiently, you'll reach the pinnacle of financial independence and luxury. Sounds familiar? The hustle culture narratives often parrot this same tune: Work around the clock, say goodbye to your social life, and you'll be rewarded with entrepreneurial nirvana.

But here's the controversial bit: Isn't this promise equally misleading? We celebrate the few who make it, plastering their faces on Forbes and glorifying their bank accounts, but ignore the silent majority suffering from burnout, broken relationships, and spiraling mental health. The narrative dangerously implies that those who fail just 'didn't hustle hard enough.'

Are we simply perpetuating a toxic cycle that's as risky and destructive as the schemes we publicly condemn?

Let's have an honest conversation. Are we unfairly romanticizing overworking, or is this 'extreme work ethic' a necessary step on the ladder to success? Where do we draw the line, and how do we build sustainable, healthy entrepreneurial ventures without falling into this trap?

Ready for the heat

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[–] TheMidwestMarvel@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (4 children)

I've considered this a lot considering I've lost the ability to relax for more than a day without being racked with guilt. The attitudes shoveled out by social media and influencers is not only toxic, it's completely fake.

For every entrepreneur sweating at a shop late at night there's a dozen influencers spreading lies about doing the same thing. A huge part of running a business is learning to work smarter with your model, not harder.

At the same time, you DO need to work harder than a 9-5 to succeed in most cases and success is unlikely to occur right away. So my perception is that "Grind culture" is a real and often necessary thing taken to extreme by people who don't recognize the danger because they've never actually participated in it.

[–] tylerwhitaker84@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

I don’t think I’ve met someone else like this. This guilt you describe - I haven’t thought of it as guilt, more like angst, but it might be a combination. It’s being about not being present, but filled with a mixture of guilt and angst for not investing for a potential, nonexistent future. What does this mean - is this intrinsic to being an entrepreneur? A wantrapreneur? I honestly just thought I was ADHD or something this whole time, but no, it’s guilt and angst

[–] BointmyBenis@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Agreed, my father had to work at a job and then go work on his business after-work. He had to hustle, but he still was able to take a breather every now and then. He always had some sort of thing going on when I was growing up, bike racks, protable grill for jeeping/survival, a Handyman business, etc.

[–] HonestBeing8584@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

My FIL is a very good role model for me. He built a successful business over many years, and while he worked a lot, he made time to attend every family event, and every one of my husband's sporting things. He wasn’t working while there either, he would volunteer at the events and help clean up afterward.

He worked long hours, but he also took long family vacations (like 2+ weeks) at least once a year, and smaller weekend trips besides. He’s semi-retired now (sold the business, but got bored eventually) and still does some deals here and there. BUT, he spends most of his time playing a sport with a rotating group of neighbors and is always meeting friends or family for a meal out somewhere. He seems prob 10-15 years younger than other men the same age just because he stays healthy and is nearly always in a good mood.

[–] codexsam94@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Coming here to share your struggle forcing myself to watch a movie on a Sunday afternoon. The feel of guilt I get from not working is insane.