I don't believe in a 9 to 5 job
Understanding Toxic Productivity and Hustle Culture
While I have a purpose and goals in life I wish to achieve, I simply don't believe that sitting behind a desk working a 9 to 5 job is going to help me achieve that.
Before you jump to conclusions with thoughts that I come from a privileged background, let me tell you that this is not the case. I grew up in a middle-class neighborhood in a small apartment near downtown Toronto and later moved to a suburban area on the edge of the city.
I chose a career that demands a lot of time and effort while encouraging creativity and constant learning often in the form of research. In fact, I’m an artist. While I do use a variety of mediums, my main medium is oil paint. Perhaps, it is because I am an artist that I don’t believe I need to sit behind a desk for 8 hours and instead prefer an easel with Lofi music playing in the background. While being an artist comes with its own set of challenges, it is focused a lot more on self-expression and a schedule based on your unique lifestyle. The artist is often focused on self-development, practicing independence, and working towards entrepreneurship while being connected to the arts community,
While I did work for others, I learned that many companies simply care about making a profit. This is essentially based on a capitalistic approach that many corporations take, placing more value over money instead of the people responsible for helping the company generate that income. In turn, many people begin placing their worth on how much they can generate for a company, while completely losing themselves and ignoring their individual needs in the process.
Oftentimes, individuals begin placing the happiness of their boss or supervisor over their own, constantly seeking validation and reassurance. While I do believe in growth, as an individual, and as a community, I don’t think placing your worth on another individual's approval is the right way to do it. Seeking constructive criticism is a healthy approach in helping you grow as an individual, however, seeking approval over every single task and action comes from a place of insecurity and lacking self-confidence. This in turn creates individuals to lose themselves, personal interests, and hobbies in the process.
While being productive is healthy and encourages growth, toxic productivity is one that doesn’t believe in the idea of breaks. Instead, its motto is “rise and grind”, oftentimes pushing individuals to the breaking point promising a life of wealth in the future, going as far as to say that everyone can become millionaires. Although this ideology may work in a perfect world, due to the current economic climate, this comes off as an empty promise.
While this may be a motivation for many, simply striving for money takes away goals and purpose, making money the sole goal. While striving for your goals and dreams encourages growth and may increase productivity due to an increase in motivation, creating a drive to accomplish tasks, the ideas promoted by hustle culture almost discourage self-care in order to get the coin. While working hard is a positive trait, creating money as a form of motivation stems from a capitalistic ideology that places money as the prize in order to obtain luxuries and material wealth.
In turn, many individuals over-work themselves in order to achieve the grandiose lifestyle promised by hustle culture often working up to twelve hours a day. Instead, I believe it’s important to create goals and dreams that don’t begin and end with the capital being the end goal. Instead, create goals and dreams that push you to become the best version of yourself, igniting your passions, and perhaps you may be able to generate income although it may not be your end goal. I know we live in a capitalistic society and money is a need in order to survive but it shouldn’t be the main focus, rather an accessory to achieve larger things, promoting positivity and self-growth in oneself or a community.
Here’s what I discovered about work culture thus far:
Find what creates value
You are a unique human. There is only one you on this planet, and that will remain constant. As a unique individual, you bring a set of qualities and talents that add value to your surrounding community. Instead of seeking dead-end jobs, search for places of work that ignite your passions, encouraging creativity and learning. Another alternative approach and a daring one is to create a place of work in the form of entrepreneurship that adds value to yourself and the community around you.
Strive for positive change
There are many issues on this planet, and many have simple solutions. As an individual with a unique vision, you have the power to bring in your perspective and bring a positive change in society. While it’s not possible to change everything on your own, it is possible to create a small army of people who hold a similar vision and values who strive for the same change as yourself. Identify the issues and find methods to solve them. Taking baby steps towards a larger goal will help bring your vision to life.
Define productivity on your own terms
Productivity looks different for everyone. It is not limited to working an eight hours shift. Based on each individual’s mental and emotional state, as well as time constraints, sometimes it’s as simple as getting out of bed and making a meal. Other times, it may be finishing a book or writing a journal entry.
Productivity is not objective, rather it changes based on the lifestyle and story of each individual. There is no one way to be productive, and it shouldn’t be defined on the capital that is created through one’s daily activities, rather on the tasks completed or time taken for oneself.
Create time for yourself
Creating time for yourself is very important. This is what makes us human. Creating space to catch up with yourself, a time to heal, and understand your emotional state will help you in other aspects of your life. This may look like being in bed all day or doing things that bring you peace and happiness. A day at the beach, a walk after a long day, or simply reading will have a positive impact on your mental and emotional state, in turn allowing you to create with a clear head in the future.
While being independent and not working an eight-hour shift may not be my cup of tea, it may be yours and that is okay. Working towards entrepreneurship evokes non-conformity as it doesn’t fit into the American dream that has been sold to us since childhood. You are allowed to create a new dream, one that fits into your vision of a better world, though it may challenge our current work culture. There is no one way to accomplish tasks. There are many ways to create a better reality and the power is in your hands.
