Why glorifying hustle culture will send your work-life balance for a toss

It is crucial to recognise one’s value beyond the conventional, external markers of success

The world has never been a more connected, and comfortable place in the history of humankind. Despite having access to knowledge and convenience at the click of a button, the mental health crisis—with rising depression, loneliness, workplace burnout, adolescent and elderly suicides—and a surge in cancer cases (a recent study reveals India to be the cancer capital of the world), are both at their highest.

Alarmingly enough, research on happiness shows us that the more comfortable we become or the more income we earn, the less happy we are. To clarify, these studies indicate that happiness does indeed increase when we get more income, but only to the point that we can meet our basic needs without significant financial stress. Thereafter, even going from US$300,000 to US$3 million a year does nothing to increase perceived happiness. Peter Abreo, co-creator of Mandala Valley Earth School in West Bengal, who spent 30 years as a reputation manager says, “I thought I was in a good place—[there was] good money, consumption patterns were high, promotions happened, and I got so caught up with it all. In retrospect, it feels like a false kind of achievement.” 

The human need to matter

Why do we tirelessly chase the allure of success—climbing the corporate ladder, getting that six-pack or size-zero body, indulging in extravagant vacations, amassing competitive accolades—only to discover that we are still consumed by stress and discontent? 

Psychologists tell us that behind the chase lies the basic human need to matter, and term it "mattering"—the belief and recognition that we are valued for who we are. Yoga and meditation instructor Sabah Tahilramani, founder of the Self-Mastery Initiative, says, “Our identity and sense of self-worth are so tied to it [achievement culture] that we don't know who we are if we separate ourselves from our achievements. When you experience burnout or quit, you are not just mourning the loss of a career and the stability it brings but also your attachment to the idea of who you were.”

Megha Modi, Expressive Arts and IFS Therapist, confirms this notion of achievement culture permeating into one’s identity with her own experience. “Growing up, my main identity was that of an achiever in the family. I was that kid who came first in class. I studied business and economics, worked in New York, and found a job in finance that I liked. While I enjoyed the skills I was using, there was no meaning in it for me.” 

The clash between our innate need to matter and the relentless demands of achievement culture around us is glaring. We're often confined in systems fuelled by a reward-based mentality, perpetuating a rat race where perfectionism and competition reign supreme. Tahilramani observes, “These processes are deeply ingrained in our subconscious, originating in capitalism and exacerbated by our educational system. They're amplified by the grind-and-hustle culture in our workforce, then celebrated by society at large.” Modi further notes, “Many find themselves disconnected and trapped in survival mode despite material wealth. Beneath the surface lies a profound fear of inadequacy without achievement. Rather than seeking external validation, what if we ask, 'What makes me happy? What resonates with my essence?'”

Burnout—the outcome of prolonged, unaddressed workplace stress—manifests in physical and emotional exhaustion, detachment, and a pervasive sense of ineffectiveness. Its impact is not just taxing but potentially catastrophic, with research revealing its correlation with severe health issues like heart disease and mental disorders. Psychologist Alishiya Halaney emphasises that the culture further fuelling this cycle, passed down through generations, is normalised. Stress is often glamorised as a symbol of achievement, while burnout is brushed off as an expected byproduct of ambition.

Finding balance

Amid this culture of relentless achievement, movements like Fika and Hygge advocate for rest and introspection, while communal living is experiencing a resurgence. People are demanding change, evidenced by France's four-hour workday and the rise of sleep clinics. Digital nomads and body positivity challenge the status quo equating success with external validation. “People are waking up to the reality of this toxicity. It begins with sensing a lack of time, energy, and motivation, followed by exhaustion, and feeling drained from the daily grind,” says Tahilramani.  China's "9-9-6" work culture, resulting in ailments arising from burnout, for 1,600 people daily, exemplifies the extremes of achievement culture. However, pandemic-induced introspection has sparked movements like "lying flat" in China and "quiet quitting" in the West, signalling  a shift in values.

Observing shifts in consumer behaviour such as making healthier dietary choices, a surge in veganism, and increased interest in yoga and exercise, it is apparent that the root of the issue lies in the mental stress induced by our relentless pursuit of doing and achieving more.

Breaking free from the cycle

According to career coach Shalini Patnaik, dropping out of the rat race is in itself the mark of beginning a journey to recognise one’s value beyond external markers of success. However, more often than not, the path is non-linear, involving relinquishing aspects of one's old life while embracing newer perspectives that resonate with one's core values, defining “mattering” at an intrinsic rather than extrinsic level. 

Gaytri Bhatia, who previously worked as an environmental consultant in Boston before returning to India in 2009 to start Vrindavan Farm, says, “If I used modern language to measure my day, I achieved nothing—I was not efficient, and I did not convert my time into money. Walking the cows again tomorrow would not help me rise to a higher-paying position. But it would deepen my relationship with the animals. It would teach me about their memory of the land and about how much we can hear and express without words. It would teach me about the deep sense of respect that grows when we nurture each other’s needs. It would teach me the patience of a grazing bovine.”

Varun Duggirala, co-founder and CCO at Emomee, a company that focuses on building tools to raise emotionally intelligent children, sold and then exited his company Glitch (now a content and advertising agency owned by WPP) in 2022. “The people who've been able to prioritise self-validation over external validation are the ones who've been able to progress in this journey towards authenticity. It isn’t easy, and has taken me years of stumbles and failures to get where I am today.”

Authenticity = Happiness

The catalyst for authenticity is not limited to burnout; for some, it’s driven by the profound need for freedom. Amit Sondhi, who quit working at Wall Street before setting up Aasha Lanka, a responsible social enterprise in Sri Lanka, says, “I didn’t experience a burnout. I just wanted the freedom to do what I want, when I want. Not having it felt mentally taxing. It took me 15 years to gain real-world knowledge and financial security before I quit. For me, time is a real luxury, and having the time to do what I want is what truly matters.” 

While it's tempting to believe that only those with the means to pause and reflect can embark on this journey, Tahilramani speaks from her own experience: "I did not come from privilege nor did I have financial stability. I was surprised that it was easier for me to take the plunge. In my opinion, people who feel that they have more to lose take longer to [take the] leap. One way of looking at it is that if you don't come from privilege, this could actually be something in your favour.”

The pursuit of achievement and the culture surrounding it is a personal journey, unique to every individual. For many, the hustle of the race provides a sense of purpose and a roadmap to success. However, at the same time, it’s also impossible to ignore the copious research that points to the insidious link between this very culture and a mental health epidemic. It is then important to ask yourself: are these achievements bringing me joy and fulfillment, or am I chasing them out of obligation or societal pressure? Ultimately, the takeaway is not to completely abandon the pursuit of excellence but to pursue it with deliberate choices that align with one’s own values rather than those of others.

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