What do you think of when you hear the word “hustle”?
Do you think of a hard worker, or someone who is out to cheat you out of your money?
When I was a kid, my dad used to have this plaque above his desk. Engraved in brass, mounted on wood, it was called, simply, “WHAT IS HUSTLE?”:
WHAT IS HUSTLE?
Hustle is doing something that everyone is absolutely certain can’t be done.
Hustle is getting commitment because you got there first, or stayed with it after everyone else gave up.
Hustle is shoe leather and elbow grease and sweat and missing lunch.
Hustle is getting prospects to say “yes” after they’ve said “no” twenty times.
Hustle is doing more unto a customer than the other guy can do unto him.
Hustle is believing in yourself and the business you’re in.
Hustle is the sheer joy of winning.
Hustle is being the sorest loser in town.
Hustle is hating to take a vacation because you might miss a piece of the action
Hustle is heaven if you’re a hustler.
Hustle is hell if you’re not.
I was raised in a home where hard work was rewarded, and laziness was punished. Promptness, efficiency, and professionalism were characteristics that were instilled in me from before I was even 10. It’s probably why I am the person that I am now – always working on multiple projects, never really understanding how to sit still.
The funny thing is that lately, when I hear people mention the word “hustle,” the connotation is not the same. It’s become associated with prostitutes, pimps, grifters, and scam artists. The name of the game in this new-millenium “hustle” is how well you can do the con; how well you can get some stranger to part with his cash. It has little to do with getting up early, working hard, and deserving the rewards you receive – whether it be cash or otherwise.
My dilemma, as a result, is how to define “hustle” as it was when I was a kid. I can’t use “hustle” in the way it was initially intended – if I say that I “hustle,” then the reaction is usually not positive. I most certainly can’t (or don’t want to) use “hustle” to describe someone – in this day and age, with drama the way it can be, word may spread that I am not complimenting someone, but rather being derogatory.
Words change over time, generations, and cultural lines. At one point in time, “The Hustle” was even a dance move (as you can see above). Perhaps, much like the “n” word, the proper pronounciation these days is “huss-la” and not “huss-ler.” Maybe in that context, the terminology is correct. After all, every culture, generation, and age group has their own definition of “hard work.” But somehow in my mind, it’s not really “hard work” when you’re trying to scam people out of their money instead of working diligently, intelligently, morally and ethically.
Or maybe I’m just getting old…who knows.
So, what do you think of when you hear the word “hustle”?
With the way the economy is a lot of people have learned the hard way that they often need a side “hustle” to survive. It could be a part time job in retail, a side enterprise, etc. Reliance on one source of income can come at a price should that job vanish due to a layoff.
Plus, I’ve found that a lot of people see the side hustle as more rewarding than a traditional job. It might be that thing they are really more passionate about versus their day jobs. If the regular job disappears its not seen as such a bad thing since now they can pursue that “passion” with more intensity than they ever would with a normal occupation.
To me the idea of a “hustler” doesn’t have to come with a negative connotation. These days we may all need to “get our hustle on” to survive or(if we’re fortunate) thrive.
When I was little, my father was a huge Red’s fan. After he got back from Vietnam all he had to watch on TV that remotely interested him was Pete Rose and the Big Red Machine out of Cincinnati.
One of the many nicknames that Pete acquired over the years was Charlie Hustle. He always ran on a walk, sprinted after home runs he knew he couldn’t catch and his mouth was faster than his feet ever were, still is actually.
So when I think of Hustle I think of going above and beyond to do what you said you would. To take three steps in a space where other people only take one.
It is about speed and desire and hard work and dedication and, I suppose, the attitude that you know you are doing what others can’t or won’t and you will be better because of it.
back when i was young, a hustler was someone getting fast money. be it selling dope, pimping or selling stolen goods. but they did it to survive, not to be flashy.
but rapper Common broke it down to modern terms, meaning much like BrnzeTyger said. getting that additional tax free loot through many legal methods.for example, i hustle beats, choruses and music. i saw a CNN report on families getting ‘side hustles’ going on because they get laid off. some of these families are GREAT hustlers. i digress…
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I really like what you do, Kelly. I think to hustle is simply this…Do it, until it’s done.
Peace,
KLH
twitter.com/klhoud
.-= Ken´s last blog ..The Universe Knows The Difference =-.