How To Embrace The Art of Hustle and Kickstart Your Success

What is the art of the hustle, and how can you use it to help you succeed?

As the co-founder of a travel tech startup, I meet many aspiring entrepreneurs.

One of the most common questions I’m asked is: “what skills do you need to successfully build a company?”

Over time, I’ve realized the answer is pretty simple: you need to know the art of the hustle.

Hustle has become a beloved byword of high-profile entrepreneurs, from Jessica Alba to Travis Kalanick.

But it’s not just a sound bite—it’s an honest and accurate view of what it really takes to succeed in a high-stakes startup world.

Julian Mitchell gives a good definition of hustle for Forbes, highlighting the ability to work smarter, not necessarily harder, and to position yourself for lasting success.

In Mitchell’s view—and mine—hustle is a commitment:

• to being your best self
• that requires an incredible amount of discipline and an unwavering work ethic
• to treat your goals and dreams as an investment

People who understand the art of hustle constantly invest in themselves, seek challenges, and chase growth opportunities.

Are you ready to embrace the art of hustle?

Here are five tips to kick-start your success.

1. Prioritize ruthlessly

Are you managing an unwieldy to-do list?

Stay focused by limiting your priorities to 2-3 top tasks.

Use a project management tool like Trello to keep track of items you want to accomplish.

Then, set aside time during your most productive part of the day to focus on complex tasks.

2. Protect your time

Don’t leave room for interruptions, which absolutely kills productivity.

A recent study from UC Irvine showed it takes people an average of 23 minutes to get back on track.

Keep unwanted distractions and begin the art of hustle by blocking time on your calendar and turning off email notifications.

3. Ask for help

High performers realize the value of asking for help.

Chances are pretty high that you’re NOT the first person to face whatever problem is currently on your plate.

Instead of spinning your wheels, call up a trusted friend or colleague who can help point you in the right direction.

Don’t know someone with the right expertise?

Use LinkedIn to reach out to contacts with relevant capabilities.

You’d be surprised how many people are willing and delighted to share advice on the art of the hustle. 

4. Celebrate your wins

Great success deserves celebration.

Reflect on and savor your wins, and you’ll find it easier to stay motivated moving forward.

In high-stress environments, it’s easy to forget how far you’ve come.

So make sure you keep track of your accomplishments so that you can refer to them in the future.

I keep an email folder with messages from the most meaningful moments of my career.

I find it helpful to return to those emails when I’m facing a stressful challenge. 

5. Vary your routine

New perspectives fuel creativity.

Even small changes to your daily routine can help spark new ideas.

So take a different route to work, sit in a new corner of the cafeteria, or work from the local library for an afternoon.

Create space for serendipity, and you’ll be surprised by how quickly new ideas emerge.

It’s difficult trying to accomplish all your dreams in one lifetime.

But you can achieve so much by going one step at a time, working hard, and celebrating small victories.

Don’t delay: begin today and hustle your way to success.

Share your hustle tips with us in the comment section below.

Also, remember to share this article with your friends!