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

submitted 11 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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[–] wirez62@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I work full time as an electrician. I make pretty good money, in fact my schedule is insane and i work a ton if overtime, way above the normal hours a 9-5 office worker would ever dream of. For that I make good money, but I don't love this.

My dream has always been opening my own company.

Have a registered business, built my website in my own time, learned Figma/Illustrator, created my own logo, letterheads, business cards, site. Spent money above and beyond to outfit my truck with ladder racks and sliding storage under a canopy. Carry insurance.

On my brief time off, do side jobs (insured, with permits). Analyze each how they went. Did I sell well? Did I charge enough? Did I finish in the amount of hours I thought I would? If not, keep iterating.

I also workout 6 days a week and read books for leisure and want to run a marathon. This is probably "hustle culture" and I feel like anyone who uses the words toxic hustle culture will never start a business on top of their 9-5 without significant outside help like inheritance, partner bankrolling them etc.

In short if you have a job and want to run a business, there is a period of time where you need to do and juggle both. If you think that's toxic hustle culture then.. don't?