Now That Is Good Hustle!

Hustle.  It might be the greatest word in the English language.  I am not referring to the negative use of the word associated with a fraud or scam.  I am talking about the pure energy and effort often associated with sports or business.  Hustle shows passion.  Hustle shows resolve.  Hustle shows grit.  And, yes, hustle shows resilience!

It doesn’t take talent to hustle.  It has nothing to do with your natural intelligence or your God-given athletic ability.  Anyone can hustle!  And hustle is where all the good stuff happens.  Diving to make a tackle in football when your team is down by 30 points.  Sprinting back on defense to take a charge in basketball.  Sliding to save a goal in soccer.  In the business world, staying late night after night to ensure the successful launch of a new product.  Coming in early or staying late to help a struggling student find his or her way.  Flying out on the weekend to see a client who cannot fit you in during normal business hours.   These are pure hustle plays that are key to accomplishing the goals of the team.

But too often hustle is the trademark skill of the unsung hero.  Hustle plays tend to go unnoticed or unrecognized.  Everyone wants to score the touchdown.  But how many of us are willing to block in the trenches to pave the way to success?  Everyone wants to make the big sale.  But how many of us are willing to do the exhaustive research necessary to truly understand the customer’s needs?  If you have a culture where everyone wants to be the hero without putting in the effort, you are destined to fail.  Great coaches understand that the accumulation of hustle plays outweighs pure talent on the path to victory.  They reward and recognize those players who exude that effort and determination.  In the same way, great managers understand that effort and hustle often point their teams toward success.  They hire and promote employees who put the needs of the business first by hustling for the team.  This builds a culture of resilience that feeds on that hustle.

Hustle alone does not always dictate success.  We live in a results-oriented world and it is very frustrating when our effort and passion are there, but the positive results are not.  That frustration can quickly lead to apathy and indifference.  Why hustle if we get the same results hanging out at the water cooler or sitting on the couch playing video games?  Why hustle if no one appreciates our effort?  But it is during these difficult moments of failure and introspection where hustle benefits you the most.  If we want to lead a resilient life, the LAST thing we need to do is stop hustling.  There is no downside to pouring everything you have into achieving your goals. Eventually, your effort, your passion, and your enthusiasm will place you on a path toward success.  Eventually, your hustle and grit will produce the recognition and results you need to lead a fulfilling and balanced life.  You must continue to believe that your effort will make a difference.  Hustle does not guarantee success but lack of hustle almost certainly guarantees failure.

Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle. –Abraham Lincoln

Do not sit back and wait for success to come to you.  Start building your own personal culture of hustle and passion right now.  And keep the faith even if your efforts do not translate to immediate success.  Soon your hustle will be contagious.  You will inspire others to put forth the same amount of effort and enthusiasm.   You will inspire others to believe their own goals are achievable.  You will inspire others to lead a resilient life.

There is hustle somewhere inside you.  Harness it.  Embrace it.  Let it guide you even when no one is watching.  You are destined to leave a legacy of hard work and passion.  Now THAT is good hustle!

Until next week, keep smiling!