Hustle

1. Hustle: The Key to Owning Your Dreams and Creating Opportunities

We define hustle as: Decisive movement toward a goal, however indirect, by which the motion itself manufactures luck, surfaces hidden opportunities, and charges our lives with more money, meaning, and momentum.

Hustle is about action. It's not about following a predetermined path, but creating your own opportunities through decisive movement. This approach allows you to uncover hidden possibilities and generate your own luck. By embracing hustle, you take control of your destiny and build a life filled with purpose and achievement.

Hustle requires a shift in mindset. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment or relying on others to hand you opportunities, hustle empowers you to create your own path. This might mean taking unconventional routes, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and constantly adapting to new situations. The key is to keep moving forward, even when the destination isn't clear.

Benefits of hustle:

• Increased resilience and adaptability
• Development of diverse skill sets
• Creation of unexpected opportunities
• Greater control over your career and life direction
• Enhanced ability to turn setbacks into stepping stones

2. Overcoming the Mediocrity of Meh: Breaking Free from Cycles of Suck

We call this phenomenon the Mediocrity of Meh. It is a feeling of compounding, bored despair. Our senses are dulled, our expectations remain entirely deflated, our ambitions stay fast asleep, and we avoid taking action because, well, why should we?

Recognize the trap of mediocrity. Many people find themselves stuck in unfulfilling routines, feeling disconnected from their work and dreams. This state of "meh" is more dangerous than outright failure because it can go unnoticed for years, slowly draining your potential and enthusiasm for life.

Breaking the cycle requires conscious effort. To escape the Mediocrity of Meh, you need to actively challenge your comfort zone and seek out new experiences. This might involve taking on new projects, learning new skills, or completely changing your career path. The key is to rekindle your passion and sense of purpose.

Strategies to overcome mediocrity:

• Set challenging, meaningful goals
• Seek out new experiences and learning opportunities
• Surround yourself with motivated, inspiring people
• Regularly reassess your priorities and direction
• Embrace discomfort as a sign of growth

3. Discovering Your True Talents Through Small Doses of Pain

We actually need small amounts of pain to make gains that prevent our existing skills from atrophying, to grow our future skills and knowledge, and to anticipate and solve complex challenges.

Embrace discomfort for growth. The concept of hormesis – beneficial stress in small doses – applies to personal and professional development. By deliberately exposing yourself to challenging situations, you can uncover hidden talents and strengthen existing skills.

Start small and build resilience. Begin by incorporating small challenges into your daily routine. This could be as simple as having a difficult conversation, trying a new skill, or pushing yourself physically. Over time, these small doses of "pain" will build your resilience and expand your capabilities.

Examples of growth-inducing challenges:

• Public speaking or presenting to a group
• Learning a new language or instrument
• Taking on a project outside your comfort zone
• Physical challenges like running a race or learning a new sport
• Volunteering for a cause that pushes you to grow

4. Manufacturing Luck: The Four Types of Luck in Hustle

At the intersection of hustle and luck, a universal truth emerges: Choosing to own our dreams doesn't teach us how to be lucky but rather how to run out of "unluck."

Understand the different types of luck. Dr. James Austin identified four types of luck: Random Luck (pure chance), Hustle Luck (created by movement and action), Hidden Luck (preparation meeting opportunity), and Quirky Luck (unique personality traits attracting opportunities).

Actively create opportunities for luck. While you can't control random chance, you can significantly increase your chances of experiencing the other three types of luck through hustle. By taking action, staying prepared, and embracing your unique qualities, you create an environment where "lucky" opportunities are more likely to occur.

Strategies to manufacture luck:

• Increase your exposure to new experiences and people
• Develop a diverse skill set to recognize hidden opportunities
• Cultivate your unique personality and interests
• Stay persistent in the face of setbacks
• Reflect on and learn from both successes and failures

5. The Three Unseen Laws of Hustle: Do, Observe, and Seal the Deal

The Third Unseen Law of Hustle demands a transaction. It demands proof of your hustle. No more talk. Put up or shut up.

Law 1: Do Something That Moves You. Start with action, even if you're not sure of the outcome. Choose projects and pursuits that genuinely excite you, as this enthusiasm will fuel your persistence.

Law 2: Keep Your Head Up and Your Eyes Open. As you take action, remain observant of your environment and the opportunities it presents. Be ready to pivot or adapt based on what you learn.

Law 3: Seal the Deal and Make It Real. Turn your efforts into tangible results. This could mean completing a project, making a sale, or creating something concrete that showcases your abilities.

Applying the Three Laws:

• Identify projects or goals that genuinely excite you
• Develop a habit of regular reflection and environmental scanning
• Set specific deadlines and milestones for your projects
• Celebrate and document your achievements, no matter how small
• Use completed projects as stepping stones to new opportunities

6. Choosing Your Own Adventure: Four Pathways to Success

No matter what type of hustle works best for your situation, and there may be more than one of these four from which to choose, if you want to draw on one of the most effective ways to strengthen yourself and improve your opportunities, you must put yourself on a pathway that leads to adventure and the excitement it brings.

Understand the four pathways:

1. Outside/Inside Hustle: Getting a foot in the door
2. Inside/Upside Hustle: Proving your value and earning a promotion
3. Inside/Outside Hustle: Diving into entrepreneurial waters
4. Outside/Upside Hustle: Accelerating epic entrepreneurial and creative achievements

Choose the path that aligns with your goals and situation. Each pathway offers different challenges and opportunities. Be willing to switch paths as your career evolves and new opportunities arise.

Key considerations for each path:

• Outside/Inside: Network effectively, showcase unique skills
• Inside/Upside: Demonstrate value, seek growth opportunities
• Inside/Outside: Develop entrepreneurial skills, build a side hustle
• Outside/Upside: Take calculated risks, think big and innovatively

7. Building Your Personal Opportunity Portfolio (POP)

POP is a way of helping your hustle take visual shape, of seeing and gauging what you're doing over time and being aware of possible strategic moves that could help you achieve your goals.

Understand the four components of POP:

1. Potential: Developing capabilities and exploring new skills
2. People: Building and nurturing a strong network
3. Projects: Engaging in meaningful work and creative pursuits
4. Proof: Demonstrating your abilities and achievements

Actively develop each component. Your POP is a dynamic representation of your professional identity and value. Regularly assess and strengthen each area to create a well-rounded portfolio that showcases your unique talents and experiences.

Strategies for building your POP:

• Set specific goals for skill development (Potential)
• Attend networking events and maintain relationships (People)
• Seek out diverse and challenging projects (Projects)
• Document and showcase your achievements (Proof)
• Regularly review and update your POP to reflect your growth

8. The Power of Projects: Strengthening Your Hustle

Projects are about how you shape your present life and work. They are the creative way you propel yourself forward into the next leg of your life's journey.

Embrace a project-based mindset. Rather than thinking in terms of a single career path, approach your professional life as a series of projects. This allows for greater flexibility, skill development, and the ability to pivot as opportunities arise.

Diversify your project portfolio. Engage in a mix of projects that include your day job, side hustles, and passion projects. This diversity helps build resilience, expands your skill set, and creates multiple streams of income and fulfillment.

Types of projects to consider:

• Day Job: Your primary source of income and stability
• Side Projects: Opportunities to explore interests and develop new skills
• Experiments: Low-risk ways to test ideas and learn quickly
• Passion Projects: Pursuits that fuel your creativity and personal growth
• Collaborative Projects: Opportunities to work with and learn from others

9. Proof Makes You Bulletproof: Showcasing Your Abilities

If you're a normal person, you likely don't boast multicolored peacock feathers to spread open and share with the world on demand; nor would you want to dress up as a wild animal to call attention to yourself. Not only would an act like that be hard to maintain, but it might draw you some odd looks, too. So ditch the animal suit and let's help you prop up your POP through proof and use better ways to help decision makers and people of influence find and identify you as indispensable talent.

Create tangible evidence of your abilities. In a competitive world, it's not enough to simply claim skills or experience. You need to provide concrete proof that demonstrates your capabilities and achievements.

Develop a "Proofberg." Like an iceberg, your proof should have visible elements (e.g., portfolio, testimonials) as well as a substantial hidden portion that represents the depth of your skills and experiences.

Elements of effective proof:

• Portfolio of completed projects
• Testimonials from clients or colleagues
• Measurable results and achievements
• Unique case studies or problem-solving examples
• Personal brand elements (website, social media presence)
• Thought leadership content (articles, presentations, etc.)

10. Balancing Money and Meaning for Sustainable Momentum

It is not money but, rather, a lack of money that compromises art.

Recognize the interdependence of money and meaning. While pursuing purely financial goals can lead to emptiness, completely ignoring financial realities can stifle creativity and growth. The key is to find a balance that allows you to sustain your passion while meeting your practical needs.

Develop multiple streams of income and fulfillment. By diversifying your projects and revenue sources, you create a more stable foundation for pursuing meaningful work. This approach also allows you to take more risks in areas that truly matter to you.

Strategies for balancing money and meaning:

• Identify core values and align work with them
• Develop marketable skills that complement your passions
• Create a financial plan that supports your long-term goals
• Regularly reassess the balance between income and fulfillment
• Seek mentors who have successfully navigated this balance
• Be willing to make strategic compromises for long-term success

Last updated: October 19, 2024