Gary Vaynerchuk is a mad man.
He’s intense, a hustler, a real in-your-face type dude who speaks his truth in a way that only Gary V can do.
He’s the epitome of entrepreneurship and everything that’s wrong with it.
If you don’t know who Gary V is, this short video clip sums it up.
He’s a successful entrepreneur and one of the hardest working mo-fo’s I know.
In Gary V’s world, if you’re not hustling 24/7 your doing it wrong.
Hustle, hustle, hustle.
And when you’re physically and mentally exhausted, tired, burnt out from all the hustling you’ve done, well… saddle up sally and keep on hustling.
There’s no time to slow down, to rest, to reset.
Slowing down is for slackers.
Plus, times-a-ticking.
If you’re not maintaining this level of intensity at all times, you’re doing something wrong.
You’ve won the “life lottery” as Gary V calls it.
You’re here, you’re alive, and there’s more resources, technology, and opportunities available to you more now than ever before to be a successful entrepreneur.
There’s an intense sense of urgency.
Go, go, go!
Work, grind, hustle!
If you’re not anxious, stressed, overworked, burnt out, and on the verge of a physical and mental breakdown, you must not want it bad enough.
Your lack of sleep, food, rest, and health is your merit.
If you’re well rested, you’re doing it wrong.
If you’re eating clean and regularly, you’re doing it wrong.
If you’re taking a break to enjoy family, friends, and life, you’re doing it wrong.
If you’re taking any time away from the hustle, you’re doing it wrong.
And if you’re somehow able to endure all of this since Gary V tells us we must be patient, for oh I don’t know… 10 years or so, you have a chance at being successful.
Work 24/7, hustle your tail off, get to your breaking point, stay there for a long time, and don’t die, for a chance at being a successful entrepreneur.
This is entrepreneurship…. You interested?
This is the picture that’s been painted about entrepreneurship.
And it is so fucking dumb.
Is intense hustle necessary to succeed in entrepreneurship?
Of course.
Is working your tail off necessary to succeed in entrepreneurship?
Of course.
Is making sacrifices necessary to succeed in entrepreneurship?
Of course.
Is stress, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty part of successful entrepreneurship?
Of course.
Is sacrificing your health and well-being part of successful entrepreneurship?
NO.
Sacrificing your health and well-being is not only the quickest way to fail at entrepreneurship, it’s also the quickest way to fail at life.
Sadly enough though, this has become the norm.
And while Gary V’s message of hustle continues to contribute to this new entrepreneurial norm, it isn’t his message that’s the problem, it’s how it’s being interpreted.
Hustle yes, but never (never use the word never but this is the exception) at the expense of your health.
Health before hustle – always.
Work your face off, after you’ve gotten in your workout for the day.
Grind, hustle, and work as you nourish yourself with clean healthy foods throughout the day.
Get up early and stay up late without jeopardizing your body’s 6 to 8 hour sleep requirement to feel and be at your best.
Hustle, hustle, hustle… mixing in meditation, stretching, and recreational fun along the way.
Recreational fun isn’t watching TV for hours, playing video games, or sleeping 12 hours a day either.
It’s physical activity such as walking, running, biking, hiking, kayaking, swimming… whatever gets you up, moving, and taking in fresh air.
Successful entrepreneurship is about the long game.
Gary V calls it being patient, same thing.
The only way to go the distance, to win at the long game, and remain patient as you continue to hustle and pursue entrepreneurial success, is to put your health before the hustle.
There is no way you and I stand a chance at entrepreneurial success unless we put ourselves in position (physically and mentally) to win.
How?
By putting your health first, that’s how.
Exercising regularly, eating clean healthy nourishing foods, drinking plenty of water daily to stay hydrated, getting enough sleep.
Stretching, meditation, recreational movement.
Making all of these the priority, every day, is what’s meant by health before the hustle.
Because even if you do “make it”, and achieve entrepreneurial success, is it really worth it at the expense of your health?
Great you have a thriving business but you’re 50 pounds overweight and miserable.
Awesome you have lots of money to enjoy now but it’s all going towards medical bills because of an illness you’ve developed by putting the hustle before your health.
This isn’t a cope out either to get out of doing the work.
Health requires work.
Hustle requires work.
Successful entrepreneurship requires both.
Health however, before the hustle.
And Gary V knows this too otherwise he wouldn’t have made this video.
I encourage you to continue listening to Gary V – the man’s an animal.
He knows what he’s talking about when it comes to successful entrepreneurship.
He’s one of the best.
Just be sure to make the following adjustment to make sure you’re in position to go the distance…
Health before the hustle – always.
