How Do You Define Hustle?

Hustle. All successful leaders have it, whether they’re musicians, entrepreneurs, executives, politicians, clergy, military generals, or humanitarians. It’s also a common trait in successful mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, students, writers, fighter pilots, and athletes. It doesn’t respect socio-economic status. You’ll find hustle in employees at fast food restaurants as well as CEOs. Kings have had it, and so have slaves. It doesn’t know good or evil. Jesus Christ had it, and so did Hitler. If you want to be a successful leader or do amazing things with your life, you’ll need to have it as well. But knowing the word isn’t the secret. You’ll have to learn what it means.

Hustle, or hustling, per it’s trendy usage in the entrepreneurial space, is not about taking advantage of anyone. We’re not talking about hustling people, we’re talking about hustling. We don’t want to be part of a hustle, we want to have hustle. 

Hustle is a noun, and a verb. You have it, and you do it. Everyone does it once in a while, but that doesn’t mean everyone has it. Those who do it consistently are the ones who have it.

Hustle isn’t merely moving fast, it’s moving faster than seems reasonably possible. You know someone has hustle when they get more done than seems humanly possible. But hustle isn’t just about working hard, it’s working smart. I used to work 100-hour weeks, but I didn’t have hustle. When I learned how to work 30-hour weeks and get more done in those 30 hours than I previously accomplished in 100 hours, then I had a more credible claim on hustle. During those 30 hours per week I was more relaxed and at peace than I ever was when I worked 100 hours per week. The person who has hustle gets a lot done, but that doesn’t mean they’re always busy.

But enough with my definition of hustle, I’m curious how you define hustle. I want to know how you think about the word, how you describe it, and the people you think have it. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.