I’ll be the first to admit it – I loved the old Rick Ross song, “Everyday I’m Hustlin’.” That beat, that energy, that mindset.
Or Floyd Mayweather’s motto: “Hard work and dedication.”
For a long time, I believed hustle was the only way forward. If you weren’t grinding harder than everyone else – what were you even doing?
But here’s the truth: hustle is addictive. The rush of saying yes to every board invitation, every meeting, every social outing – it makes you feel important, needed, unstoppable. Until the hangover hits. Until you realize that effectiveness requires more than activity. It requires focus. And sometimes focus means saying no.
Saying no is a skill. I had to learn it the hard way if I wanted to last as a leader. The older I get, the more I respect not just success, but longevity. Some people get hot for a season, but few stay effective for decades. That’s why I admire someone like LeBron James — not just for his talent, but for the way he has sustained excellence year after year. Hustle might get you noticed. Focus sustains you.
When I talk to leaders about balance, what I’m really saying is this: do everything in rhythm. Life has seasons. There are times when your business, your family, or even your own growth will demand more attention. That’s normal. The key is not to stay locked in that one mode forever. Balance isn’t perfection – it’s alignment. And the sooner you can shift back into rhythm, the healthier you and your leadership will be.
Now, let me be clear – there are seasons in which saying no feels impossible. The single parent working two jobs, the entrepreneur trying to make payroll, the leader holding everything together – sometimes survival requires hustle. If that’s you right now, don’t feel shame for the season you’re in. Just know it’s not meant to be permanent. The danger is staying in that mode forever. Hustle can help you for a season, but it will crush you if you never step out of it.
The reality is simple: a burned-out leader can’t serve anyone. Think about a parent running on fumes versus a parent who has learned to care for themselves. The difference is obvious. The first is reactive, irritable, and exhausted. The second has margin, presence, and joy. Leaders are no different. We cannot pour into others if we’re completely empty ourselves.
That’s why I never let high achievers off the hook when I ask them, “How are you?” Nine times out of 10, they respond by telling me how their team is doing, how their business is doing, how the numbers are doing. And I’ll stop them and push again: “No, how are you doing?” The pause that follows says everything. Too many leaders deflect — not because they’re being dishonest, but because they don’t actually know. They haven’t slowed down long enough to ask themselves that question honestly.
Here’s the good news: hustle doesn’t have to be the drug that runs your life. You can detox. You can shift. You can reclaim your ambition and make it meaningful again.
Start simple:
- Practice ruthless rest. Treat time to recharge as non-negotiable, not optional.
- Limit your yes. Only commit to what aligns with your purpose more than your pride.
- Feed your soul and body. Reflection, exercise, and joy aren’t luxuries — they’re fuel.
- Name your season. Be honest about where your energy is going right now, and when it needs to shift.
- Answer yourself honestly. Don’t deflect with busyness – take time to really ask, “How am I doing?” and sit with the truth.
Your drive will get you moving. But your drive alone won’t get you home. Ambition can fuel the sprint, but only selflessness sustains the marathon. Your hustle might make you hot for a season, but selfless ambition will keep you effective for a lifetime.
About the Author
Henry Sanders is the CEO of Madison365 and founder of the 365 Leadership Summit, Wisconsin’s premier gathering of diverse leaders, returning Nov. 3. He also writes The Selfless Way™, a leadership column helping leaders grow with clarity, conviction, and character. Don’t miss the 365 Leadership Summit on Nov. 3—visit 365LeadershipSummit.org to register.
