“I’m a hustler baby… I just want you to know… It aint where I been… But where I’m bout to go…”
-Jay Z, I Just Wanna Love You
Traditionally, the hustler is the quintessential scammer, or as my Trinbagonian peeps call it, “de smart man”. To hustle means doing whatever you have to do, most often something illegal or unethical, to get your situation right. Hustlers are ubiquitous across all cultures and all stations of life. In fact we elect quite a few more often than we think! Did you notice lately though that “hustle” has been…sanitized? It’s more socially acceptable to talk about ones “hustle”. I’m going to take a step further to suggest that “hustle” has been somewhat ‘gentrified’. In my mind, if I can search for the word “hustle” in Amazon and be rewarded with pages of gorgeous, floral, and gold-leafed posters and other miscellaneous motivational items embellished with this word, then yes, it’s been gentrified. What was once nefarious has been ‘upgraded’ to being refined. Regardless, I love the word, and good or bad, I confess I’ve contributed to mainstreaming it.
I bought a poster from Amazon that now resides on my living room wall. My poster reads: “Good things come to those who hustle”. It’s in a prominent spot over the television and visible from almost any angle. Sometimes because of how the light hits it, the only word that’s legible is “hustle”. I realized the need for incorporating hustle into my life when I was hit with a second cut in research funding, which led to my being laid off. The first cut was dealt on the day I returned from maternity leave; I was cut to three days a week, which I ended up loving because I had more time with my baby. Incidentally, the second, permanent cut occurred a couple years later just when I’d returned from a vacation. Hmmm…one would think I shouldn’t leave for any extended periods!
Now, when you’ve lost both your paddles and find your destination is up S*** creek, you get inspired! I realized that I lacked diversification and fire in my life. Currently, I am simultaneously exploring a few interests that bring me happiness, and have the potential to increase my financial, personal and experiential net worth. In the pursuit of progress, hustle fits in seamlessly. The goal of hustling is to progress in your hustle. So, I too have embraced the sanitized “hustle”.
I use it in all its forms! I talk about my hustle, which roughly translates to my plan to keep myself progressing in all areas of my life. I have a parenting, family, career, and fitness hustle. Heck you name it and I have the accompanying hustle. It’s my game plan, my motivation.
When I enact my hustle, I am hustling. Hustling is a 24/7 kind of gig. People brag that if they’ve fallen off the grid, it’s because they’ve been deeply engrossed in their hustling. Do Not Disturb! It’s tough to keep that hustle alive. Plus I have so many! When hustling, I need to keep on my toes. I can’t lose focus. Everyone knows that when a hustler loses focus then he’s not good at his game, which can lead to being hustled.
As the hustler, I have certain responsibilities. Now keep in mind you can’t always recognize a hustler. Traditionally, that was a prerequisite to being a successful hustler. You aren’t supposed to see me coming. Some hustlers are out there though, flaunting the spoils of their hustle. I personally like the idea of the low key hustler. Keep your game plan to yourself, unless sharing your game plan is part of your hustle (wink wink)! Wear the rewards with grace…we are dignified now, aren’t we? LOL.
Being hustled is never a goal. However, some of the best hustlers become greater after a bout or two of being hustled. Learn fast. If you do get hustled, don’t give up. Great hustlers never give up! They stay true to their game.
As a novice hustler, I will devote myself to honing my hustle. Hustling will be an additional tool in my pursuit of progress. I hope to never get hustled by life again but if I do, the solution is to hustle on. Hustler for life!
Comments are welcomed, fellow hustlers! LOL
Best,
Olanta
AproProse Category: Welcome to AproProse, a play on the word ‘apropos’ (meaning relating to, concerning). This category is where I collect my more creative prose that relate to one topic or another in my pursuit of progress. I hope you enjoy and can relate to the post’s sentiments. At the very least, I hope you have a good read.
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