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There are two types of people in this world, hustlers and everyone else.

I started my first business when I was in High School selling do-rags from my locker. I didn’t get rich from that business but I immediately knew I was going to be an entrepreneur when I start making more money than my classmates and wasn’t required to listen to someone else for permission. Since then, I’ve been a part of the growth of many businesses and startups as a consultant, employee and owner. One thing I’ve noticed in my career, is that I enjoy working with hustlers more than anyone else.

When I say hustler, I’m not talking about someone who does shady business or sells illegal products. I’m talking about someone whose ambition and aspirations line up together. Someone who knows what they want and are willing to make short term sacrifices takes to get what they want and make sales. Hustlers don’t make excuses when they don’t achieve their goals – they look at the issue square in the eye and accept it as a challenge and an opportunity to improve.

Hustlers are a rare breed this day and age yet it feels like everyday someone is talking about becoming a hustler without having the track record to back it up. I get the idea that hustlers are cool but let’s not confuse a work-mule with a hustler. A work mule, is always busy doing things and is often doing things that anyone else could do. A hustler is smart enough to know where they should best spend their time to achieve results and optimize their life accordingly.

A hustler is willing to hire someone when he needs help.

A hustler is willing to say no to a project when it’s not aligned with her vision.

Hustlers value smart work over hard work. (Tweet This)

A few years ago, I was grabbing coffee with a friend who runs her own technology company and she was telling me about the challenge of finding hustlers fresh out of school. She expressed that she was looking to hire someone with all the attributes of a hustler but that the traits were rare. I had the same conversation a few months later when at an event with a couple executives and then again recently when helping a friend recruit talent for his startup. For some reason, the world isn’t producing enough hustlers. Yet, it’s hustlers like Elon Musk, Jay-Z, Richard Branson,Gary Vaynerchuk, Oprah and Sheryl Sandberg who shape culture & industries, create movements and have helped moved society forward.

Here are a few of the mindsets that differentiate hustlers from the rest of the world:

The Willingness To Die For Their Cause

While it’s been misquoted to almost every great author and professional, the quote; “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything” is spot on with the hustlers mentality. Hustlers believe in an idea or vision that is bigger than the person they see when they look in the mirror (Tweet This).Whether it’s a vision to help women around the world break through the glass ceiling and achieve success or create a cleaner & more sustainable world – hustlers have a dream. Upon identifying their dream, they then seek out on a quest to make that dream a reality and leave their mark on the world.

An Intolerance Of The Status Quo

George Carlin once said, the status quo sucks. It’s blunt yet full of truth. Hustlers hate the status quo. In fact, they not only despise the status quo they have a true intolerance for the idea of accepting things as they are. To be told they cannot make a difference or make change is the equivalent of slapping them in the face. Hustlers refuse to accept the status quo and strive to constantly challenge it.

An Undeniable Love For Their Craft

Call me crazy but I wake up thinking about my craft, my projects, recent reads and my hustle. I love it. Now, don’t get me wrong, I also think about my family and all the other joys of life but my craft, my industry and everyone in it have a piece of my heart. It’s just the way hustlers are configured. Jay-Z has stated many times how much he loves his team. Richard Branson lights up when given the chance to talk about the future he’s trying to create. Hustlers love their craft and are committed to improving themselves and the world.

Rejection Is Fuel For An Internal Fire

What do Tim Burton, Madonna and Andy Warhol all have in common? Believe it or not, they were rejected. People didn’t believe in their talents and told them to go try somewhere else. Madonna was told, she wasn’t ready for the industry and it’s this rejection letter that fired her up to succeed.

Hustlers accept rejection. In fact, they take it, remember it and use it to their advantage. Call it ego, call it spite, either way, it’s a motivator that drives hustlers to work harder and succeed. I’ve had people tell me my ideas were crazy, I’m too young and that my industry is too saturated. I even had a teacher tell me I wouldn’t make it back in Jr. High. Even today, that fires me up. Hustlers find their fuel in the non believers, critics and haters (Tweet This).

Willing To Stumble So You Can Rise Back Up

To succeed, you must be willing to fail. You must be willing to risk everything to achieve your dreams and achieve the life you see for yourself and the world. It’s a crazy mindset but one that all hustlers have in common.

In a recent interview, Elon Musk stated is quoted saying, “my proceeds from PayPal were $180m. I put $100m in SpaceX, $70m in Tesla & $10m in Solarcity. I had to borrow money for rent.” It’s this willingness to put it all on the line for your passion that differentiates hustlers from the rest.

So tell me, what do you do that differentiates you from the rest of the pack? How are you building your own competitive advantage? Does a memory of rejection fire you up? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

The Hustle Pack

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Ross Simmonds

Ross Simmonds is a digital marketing strategist who has worked with everything from Fortune 500 companies to startups to drive results using digital marketing and technology.

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Ryan Biddulph
9 years ago

Hi Ross, Love it man. I went from employee to entrepreneur 5 years ago and I never looked back. We can either be free, and hustle, or be bound, and follow others. I chose the being free lifestyle to be writing these words from Fiji. It’s funny; a series of seemingly small decisions can create an astoundingly freeing, prospering lifestyle, and it all starts with a willingness to see an idea through to its completion, no matter what. Hustlers know why they want to make a difference and live a life of service. I dig your important distinction too;some feel… Read more »

Ross Simmonds
9 years ago
Reply to  Ryan Biddulph

Ryan – I checked out your post and loved it! Thanks for sharing, looking forward to following your blog further and all your amazing adventures. You’ve obviously got it figured out. #KeepHustlin

Jermaine Bowens
Jermaine Bowens
2 years ago
Reply to  Ryan Biddulph

I really agree with the statement of how the hustle/ entrepreneurship allows us freedom. This what drives me to hustle no matter how difficult the obstacles are.

Hadlay M
Hadlay M
9 years ago

Hi Ross Congrats on once again writing a compelling blog post. I can relate to this and while reading it I was reminded of the many little business ventures that I’ve been a part of in just the last few years. None of them made me rich and most are defunct right now but the lesson I’ve learnt from them are invaluable. The funniest memory I have of my hustling ways is this one time I bought a whole bunch of flash drives which were on sale at the time and sold them at a marked up price. It obviously… Read more »

Ross Simmonds
9 years ago
Reply to  Hadlay M

Man, that’s what it’s truly all about. Seeing an opportunity and chasing it. You could’ve taken the approach that many people do and ignore the opportunity and a few months later look back and wish you took the chance. That’s the hustler mentality and you’ve clearly got it! Thanks for the comment, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. #KeepHustlin

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[…] To get your content noticed you need to hustle. […]

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[…] For instance, a friend of mine, Ross Simmonds talks about how his first business venture was selling do-rags from his locker in high […]

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[…] For instance, a friend of mine, Ross Simmonds talks about how his first business venture was selling do-rags from his locker in high […]

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[…] in student events.  Use vacation time to shadow, use post-call days to set up meetings, in short, hustle.  Not having an established, institutional pathway to an orthopedic mentor is not an excuse to […]

Allie
Allie
6 years ago

Its in my blood to be that odd person i am different then most an have an different out look on life. I am finely ready to explore the world

Name
Name
6 years ago

I despise this. Saying we need more hustlers in the world is like saying we need more cannibals in the world. Why do you think you are so much more important than everybody else? The name list of people who “have helped moved society forward” is ridiculous. These peole are just good at predatory capitalism. How about honesty, caring, helping, loving one another, cooperation and finding peace for ideals? equity, fairness, moderation, justice? All weaknesses?

Ash
Ash
5 years ago
Reply to  Name

Oh be quiet. The world DOES need more people willing to hustle. If more people were willing to hustle, the unemployment rate wouldn’t be so bad in America. It’s people like you who get left behind, wondering what happened, when the hustler comes in and takes all the sales and profits.

Paula Edwards
Paula Edwards
6 years ago

Thanks for this. I have never believed in working for an hourly rate and everyone around me has thought of me being weird. So badly that I had thrown in the towel and tried to work for other people. It’s impossible, i just cant do it. I have had a couple of businesses in the past and although became quite successful, failed in the end (I do know why). I am here again in another business venture with all the rejections and the start up struggles. My family are again telling me to get a job (except my 6 year… Read more »

Priyom Haider
6 years ago

Love this read Ross! I’m a Hollywood Hustler. http://www.priyom.us

Bob F
Bob F
5 years ago

I am looking at this to try to find a way to fire up my son. A really smart kid (38 YO), and a very hard worker. But hustle is something else as you make clear. I am older with health issues and trying to hand him my business and a new business opportunity, but he is not taking it on. I am the hustler and have started several successful businesses. He is the worker, but leaves everything at the door at 5 or even worse – “we are slow today, how about if we leave at 4:30.” You got… Read more »

Ross Simmonds
5 years ago
Reply to  Bob F

Hey Bob – I’d say the best bet is to share some stories with him showing people who were able to find success later in life. It’s one thing to see your Dad do it, it’s another to see someone who’s around that same age do it. Something like this would be great: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loAx69RiVg4&vl=en

Bob F
Bob F
5 years ago
Reply to  Ross Simmonds

Ross, that is some good input. As a father, there is unnecessary sadness with this whole thing. I will keep you posted. Thanks again!

SputnicK
SputnicK
5 years ago

Great article, very inspiring. Thanks!

Andreja Arsic
Andreja Arsic
5 years ago

You care too much about your page. That’s fine but I would share this if it wasn’t for the last paragraph. Nice text and I think you should put it viral

Paul Moses
Paul Moses
5 years ago

“Hustlers find their fuel in the non believers, critics and haters”…love that! I have never really been a hustler but I am trying to develop that mindset. Thanks for sharing!

Marchiano
Marchiano
5 years ago

Great article Ross, thank you! You write ‘A hustler is smart enough to know where they should best spend their time to achieve results and optimize their life accordingly.’ and I couldn’t agree more. Not saying a hustler should be lazy, not at all but since you’re hustling to achieve something you have to be as effective as humanly possible. How then do you feel about this current culture of ‘an entrepreneur should be working as much/as long/as hard as possible’ (the Gary Vee school basically – and I love Gary’s material, but I’m leaning more to ‘how can I… Read more »

単身引越し
5 years ago

一人の引っ越しの手順と引っ越し費用を値引きさせるコツを紹介しています。多人数の引越しに比べて荷物はわすかでも早く荷造りするのに越したことはありません。引越代金も早期にすると割引の割合も高いです。一人の引っ越しだからこそ比較値段が変わります。効率よくすることをピックアップしてもれなく動きましょう。そうすることで一人の引越し費用は大幅に割安になります。未来の生活を考えても引越代金は格安に越したことがないので要確認ですね。値段を格安にするコツは必見ですよ。

ChrisCole
5 years ago

In your opinion, is being a Hustler a gem you’re born with, or can it be learned/ adopted? I don’t consider myself a natural hustler, but I do know I need to put to use hustling qualities to see more success in many areas of my life.

Lux
Lux
4 years ago
Reply to  ChrisCole

hustling is not a new thing, some 2000 years back the hustling mindset existed

Tobins
Tobins
3 years ago

Bro this awesome! so true and motivating….

Etim Emmanuel
Etim Emmanuel
2 years ago

thanks man… have been emotionally down trying to find a balance between what i need and want.. i gat this idea burning down inside me but just cant find a way to bring it out.. i reali want to be an hustler please need help..

Jamespatrickjr.
Jamespatrickjr.
2 years ago

Very motivating, where’s the Ambition?

IT consultant
2 years ago

Thanks for sahring this. Those attributes are really informative. I think for those the technology expert are better because this is an era of technology and everyone are shifting toward the technology which is a good thing.

Jesika Parker
Jesika Parker
1 year ago

Have you heard about the problem of bullying? Now this problem is most relevant in teenage circles, but sometimes adults also encounter this problem. It seems to me that this is anti-human and impermissible for conscious individuals. I would like the world to be kinder.

Mwebaze yonah
Mwebaze yonah
1 year ago

Thanks Ross. This article sounds practical! The memory of rejection is real fuel for internal fire. It makes me odd and then gives me courage to outcompete my critics. And this later, takes my critics by surprise.

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1 year ago

1tanzania

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