Back in the days, the word hustle may have had a bit of a bad rap. You know, hustling may have invoked in our minds the pictures of questionable businesses being conducted on street corners…Or the idea of “something” being obtained from almost nothing…
Fast forward a few years, and the reality today is that we actually live in a true “hustle economy”. Yes it’s a more glamorous reality where street corners are replaced with social media pages, somewhere between Snapchat and Instagram. Where millenials are more obsessed with making meaning through their side hustles than having a regular, steady job. And where renowned car companies like Chevy urge you to #fuelyourhustle. Hustling has not only become socially acceptable, it’s become cool, innovative, avant-garde…
Just listen to Jay-Z recount how he literally “graduated” from hustling on the streets to being one of the highest-paid, most influential rappers in the music industry…Or watch the new wave of entrepreneurs online pushing you to hustle your way to the dream. As you eat lunch at your cubicle desk, dreaming of yachts in Monte Carlo and hanging out with Beyonce.
But for the rest of the semi-regular people who still swipe in every day, and clock in to get a steady paycheck, is there room for any hustle? Does it even make sense to do the “hustle” thing in your crisp white shirt and medium-length heels, across cold offices and stuffy meeting rooms?
The question is: Can you hustle at work, and if so, where do you even start? Is there a “hustling code” embedded somewhere under the thick veil of corporate policies and procedures that we somehow must uncover? And what’s the right way to do it, high heels and all?
If you ask me, the answer is a definite, resounding yes! Especially in today’s professional world, where it seems credit is more given to those who speak loudest and appear to display the most confidence. Just sit in a meeting room in any office, and observe the dynamics. You’ll notice those who take every opportunity to highlight their accomplishments and stand out in the crowd, and those who well…don’t.
While that’s not necessarily what I believe to be the most viable indicator of professional success and ability, it still shows that those who take decisive and swift action often enjoy massive success. And in my book, it’s right in line with what I would call the “hustle mindset”.
On this note, here are 4 principles taken from the books of successful corporate “hustlers” that you can apply in your own careers:
Treat Your Career Like a Business.
If you had a business in which you were making and selling your own products, how would you go about growing it? Would you just sit on the sidelines hoping and wishing someone would magically appear and buy your stuff? Or would you go out there and promote it to attract people? The answer’s quite obvious.
Now picture yourself, your abilities, your credentials and your personality as THE product. Not that you should engage in shameless self-promotion, but being able to step out and display what you know and are capable of doing in as many capacities as possible, that’s hustling!
Seek Out Opportunities.
Hustling in your business and career also means not only making yourself available for great opportunities, but actually seeking them out. You can’t just wait for the right opportunity to fall into your lap, with a nice red bow and your name engraved in golden letters.
It may mean asking for that raise or promotion during your performance review, instead of quietly listening to your manager. Or going for that international assignment. Or even volunteering for that challenging team rotation everyone else is avoiding. Or just saying “I want more”…
Put In the Extra Work.
Entrepreneur and media success Gary Vaynerchuk is the ultimate hustler in my book. According to him, “hustling is putting every minute and all your effort into achieving the goal at hand”. If your goal is be successful in your career, then are you really putting your time and effort into making sure you can achieve it? Or are you coasting along hoping the winds of corporate favor will blow in your direction some day?
That may mean showing up early and/or leaving the office late. Or handling extra projects to learn more about a particular topic. Or finally buckling down and going for that certification. Whatever the “extra” effort and time mean for you (and it can be totally different from individual to individual), consider investing it into your career to reap the results you want.
Be A Resource
The best way to build a sustainable career and business is to become a resource people can go to. Not just someone who can talk their way out of anything, manipulate and coerce others, but someone who actually has something tangible to offer.
What do you have to offer at work that others can come to you for? Do you have skills that need honing and that you could actually turn into a valuable resource for your team or department?
What are other suggestions you would make to develop a hustle mindset at work?
The Corporate Sis.
