Think of “hustling” as investing: Whatever we do above and beyond expectations adds up and pays dividends. That’s a marked contrast to always being behind and in debt.
Unfortunately, many fail to understand that just “getting by” or “staying even” is not a “Zero Sum Game”. The farther we go in the journey, the higher the stakes, the greater the expectations, the greater the competition, the more “credits” and “collateral” we need (as in having accrued marketable skills and being able to give a positive account of what we’ve done with our lives – future investors need to know!), and the greater the risk of falling behind.
So what constitutes “hustling”?
· Make good grades (they lead to preferential treatment, expanded opportunities and scholarships)
· Earn early college credits in high school via Advanced Placement courses or International Baccalaureate programs
· Pick a favorite subject and do a project for extra credit (Wow! Who does THAT?!)
· Get involved in a service project or other extracurricular activity
· Earn some money, spend only what you really need, and save as much as possible
· Research your interests
· Plan your future
· Join a professional organization
· Get coaching
The rewards of hustling are legion:
· College graduates earn an average of $1 million more than high school graduates over a lifetime
· Self-esteem is much greater with benchmark accomplishments under our belts
· Jobs are much easier to get with a prominent track record in hand
· First Advocates are easier to find for glowing references … job recommendations … etc.
· There’s a pronounced “Bandwagon Effect”: Everybody wants to be part of something / somebody that’s “GOING SOMEWHERE”
· Networking with significant others is enhanced
· Opportunities for personal and professional growth and advancement are greatly enhanced
· Job security is more assured
· Promotion possibilities are markedly enhanced
· Social and professional interactions are on a much higher level (e.g., less consumed by woeful wailing commiseration, soap operas, late night talk show proceedings, and latest video game scores)
NOTE: Hustling is not optional. WHEN we hustle is optional … up to a point of no return. We can do it either proactively, and reap dividend rewards, or after inevitable Defining Moments / Moments of Truth, and suffer debtor’s double recompense and remorse — with unrecoverable opportunities lost. The difference between a 10% dividend and a 10% debt spread over a lifetime can be astronomical. In financial terms, the ten-year differential between saving $5 per month at +3% interest and accruing debt of $5 per month at -24% interest is $3,000. Non-financial investments and debts accrue positive versus negative “interest” in similar fashion. Very few companies are interested in investing in individuals who have not made substantial investments of their own and who carry more liabilities than assets.
NOTE 2: The world is not going to come knocking at your door, no matter how “Good” you are. Fate will come knocking at your door if it finds you just “hanging around waiting”, and then the picture won’t be pretty. Don’t be just “hanging around”. Start hustling!
Finally, life is all about CHOICES. Hustling not only expands choices but yields much higher quality choices. The choice is yours. Quartermaster
