Rebelling against the 'Rise and Grind' mentality

We’re knee-deep in a culture of “rise and grind.” One that treats exhaustion as a trophy, as though long hours at the office and back-to-back Zoom calls are the pinnacle of achievement.

Efficiency has become the monarch of modern work, with "busyness" its loyal minion. But what if the true cost of this subservience isn’t a step closer to our dreams, but a step further away? What if all this frantic productivity is just a detour from our actual goals – like cultivating meaningful relationships (beyond networking), finding joy in our pursuits, or becoming the best versions of ourselves?

If you’ve ever caught yourself feeling trapped in a cycle of “doing” rather than “being,” it might be time to pause, recalibrate, and rethink what success really looks like. I did, and it doesn't look the the treadmill of toil.

In today’s world, being busy has become a status symbol. We’ve bought into the idea that our worth is directly tied to how much we get done each day, how many hours we log at work, and how much we’re constantly “hustling.” But while busyness might build some cred at the office or even line us up for a promotion, we need to ask ourselves: Is all this effort moving us toward meaningful goals, or is it just about seeking approval?

Means vs. Ends: The Productivity Trap

We’ve blurred the lines between means and ends. Working hard, staying efficient, and being productive are means – tools – really. They’re meant to serve an end goal, whether that’s financial stability, career advancement, or personal growth. But somewhere along the line, the means have become the end itself. We grind out 60-hour weeks, missing family dinners and personal downtime, straining our relationships and health - sometimes past the breaking point.

I've been there, working through the flu with my office door closed. This was pre-COVID, and was not uncommon, but unfortunately progressed to walking pneumonia. Partway through my recovery, rather than a pat on the back for my to-the-core loyalty, I was laid off (along with many colleagues) as the company downsized.

Bottom line, my friends and family - who received a paltry share of my time and energy - remained faithful. My employer did not.

Beyond "Rise and Grind": Finding Sustainable Success

The "rise and grind" mentality (often accompanied by a hearty round of chest thumping) paints achievement as something you can only earn through relentless hard work. After all, if the CEO can put in 100-hour weeks, so can you! (Even though you may be earning less than 1 percent of that CEO's salary).

But life doesn’t have to be a slog. In fact, sustainable success – the kind that lasts – requires balancing work with things that bring us happiness and fulfillment.

For example, I start every day with my morning routine – avoiding the black hole of social media or email, which take me out of the zone and into either mindless surfing or straight into the grind. And I may also take an hour during the afternoon to hit the track or the weight room. Becoming a more kick-ass version of myself is key to both my personal and business success.

This isn’t an argument against working hard. Ambition is valuable, and dedication has its place. But real success isn't just about what we do; it’s about why we do it and how we live along the way. Achieving long-term goals – strengthening your family ties, developing yourself personally, or living with joy— takes more than putting in 16-hour days. It requires a mindset shift, from busyness for busyness’s sake to intentional, meaningful action.

Redefining Success: More Than Just a Job Title

If your life feels like a game of whack-a-mole, with tasks popping up faster than you can hit them, it’s time to stop, take a breath, and zoom out. Your life is not a ledger of tasks completed but a journey toward a version of yourself you genuinely want to become. For many, this means redefining success itself. Is success landing the next promotion, or is it being present enough to support your kids’ dreams? Is it impressing your boss, or is it impressing yourself with the life you’re building?

These are questions worth asking because they help us see the difference between achievements that look good on paper and those that feel good in life. Success doesn’t mean sacrificing everything else for a title; it means living a life that’s rich, meaningful, and aligned with your deeper values.

Practical Steps to Reclaim Purpose Over Busyness

1. Set Clear Priorities: Instead of aiming to do everything, focus on a few key goals that reflect your values. If family, self-care, or personal growth matters most, then let your schedule reflect that.

2. Guard Your Time: If a task doesn’t align with your larger goals, ask if it’s really necessary. The ability to say "no" is powerful and takes guts. But it protects your time for things that really matter.

3. Redefine Productivity: Shift from measuring success in hours worked to impact made. This reframe reminds us that we’re working to live – not the other way around.

4. Celebrate Small Wins: Building the life you want is a marathon, not a sprint. Acknowledge and celebrate the small steps that bring you closer to your goals.

   
   

Bottom line: the journey to a successful life doesn’t have to suck. And we don't have to listen to the voices that tell us that work/life balance is for wimps. Because in the end, no one’s last words will be, “I wish I’d spent more time in the office.”

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Neil Moore is a communications specialist, freelance journalist, masters athlete, and family man who believes that excellence has no expiry date.

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