Beware the 'Cult of Hustle': When Winning Becomes Self-Destructive

For years, 'hustle' was a badge of honor. At places like Uber, it became expected—if you weren’t grinding through twelve-hour days, you were missing your chance at the big leagues. Parties in Vegas, legendary wristbands, corporate tattoos: for a while, the adrenaline was enough. But underneath the glitz, exhaustion crept in. The buzz faded on Monday mornings, as inboxes swelled and sleep debt piled up.

Employees who began as idealists found themselves running on empty. Some started seeing therapists for stress; others burned out, leaving behind big titles and empty energy. Onstage, executives joked about yoga and wellness, but the real fix was always 'push harder.' Still, whispers grew about the limits—even top investors urged stepping back before people broke for good.

Behavioral scientists call this overcommitment the 'escalation of commitment' trap: when effort becomes proof of worth, energy and attention narrow, and warning signs get missed. True winning isn’t about relentless hustle, but knowing when to pause, recharge, and make work sustainable.

Next time you find yourself bragging (or feeling guilty) about late nights and skipped meals, jot down what’s really driving you and whether these efforts align with your bigger goals. Take a break—schedule it, don’t wait until you’re sick—and ask a friend or co-worker what they’ve noticed about your stress trends. By hitting pause now, you create space to spot problems early and revive your sense of purpose before hustle turns to harm.