Existentialism is having a moment. We're all searching for meaning and purpose, and many of us are turning to work as a way to find it. But there's a problem with this line of thinking: work is not necessarily fulfilling, and in many cases, it's actually quite the opposite. In fact, work can be downright soul-sucking.

And yet, we're told that we have to hustle 24/7 in order to be successful.

The thing is, we've all been sold a bill of goods when it comes to hustling culture. We're told that in order to be successful, we have to put in 110% and never stop hustling. This is not only damaging to our mental and physical health, but it's also just not true.

There are plenty of people who have found success without working themselves into the ground. In fact, many of them have found that working less has actually helped them be more productive and creative. So how do you get ahead without burning out?

Have a clear vision of what success looks like to you: If you don't know what you're striving for, it's going to be very hard to achieve it. Sit down and spend some time thinking about what you want to achieve in your career, and what kind of lifestyle you want to have. Once you have a clear goal in mind, you can start working towards it.

Set boundaries for yourself: One of the biggest problems with hustle culture is that it encourages us to work all the time, even when we're tired or burnt out. This is not sustainable, and it's not healthy. If you want to be successful, you need to learn how to set boundaries for yourself. Decide how many hours you're going to work each day, and stick to that limit. Make sure you take breaks and make sure you take time off when you need it. Your work will still be there when you get back, but your health is more important.

Find a way to measure the progress that works for you: It's important to have a way to measure your progress, so you can see if you're actually making the headway you want to. However, it's also important to make sure that your measuring system has a clear upper and lower bound. For example, if you're trying to lose weight, setting a goal of losing 10 pounds in two weeks is not realistic, and it's not healthy. On the other hand, setting a goal of losing one pound per week is realistic and achievable.

Take care of yourself: Hustle culture can be toxic, and it's important to take care of yourself both mentally and physically. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. Also, make sure you're taking time for yourself – read a book, take a bath, or go for a walk outside. Do whatever you need to do to relax and recharge.

We're all under a lot of pressure to succeed, but that doesn't mean we have to sacrifice our health and well-being in the process. If you want to get ahead, you can do it without burning out. Just be smart about it, and take care of yourself along the way.

If you're struggling with your mental health or just looking for ways to improve your well-being, you may be interested in Serenebase where I curate the best mental health apps and resources, so you can easily find what you need.