“Hustle” in the workplace

8/29/11 “Hustle” in the workplace

You may have heard me use the word "hustle" in the context of career advising with someone. While it could have negative connotations, I only use it in respect for someone who is always ready to step up and seize- or create- an opportunity. Success is frequently defined as the convergence of preparation and opportunity. If the opportunity comes and one is not prepared, nothing happens. If one spends all of his or her time getting prepared but fails to seize an opportunity (usually from fear of failure), again nothing happens. A "hustler" is one who is simultaneously very aware of his/her skills and ALWAYS looking for the opportunity to exploit them for the greatest gain. We can NEVER be so immersed in the immediate that we never come up for breath long enough to see the opportunity. Conversely, we have to attend to daily and ongoing projects appropriately and not only continually look to the horizon for the 'next big thing'. The best "hustler" in the workplace finds the balance for both.