Grind Culture

Let’s start with some research. According to multiple studies (Statista, Aflac, and NAMI to name a few), burnout rates for US workers exceed 50%. Additionally, the US ranks 23^rd in the World Happiness Report, citing things like mental health-related issues as a major concern.

There’s sort of a built-in notion in this country that we are simply supposed to work harder and longer to achieve success. I remember a coworker using the phrase “embrace the grind” on a regular basis. I always just shook my head. It’s that type of thinking that leads to burnout, impacts our mental health and physical well-being, and causes our happiness to erode.

Reed Hastings, the cofounder of Netflix, talks about the dangers of overwork actually harming decision making and creativity. He has said that “rest enhances creativity and productivity.” There is research that shows working beyond a set number of hours in a day (4-6) or week (50) produces diminishing returns. We become less productive as mental fatigue sets in; we tend to make more mistakes; we tend towards burnout.

I worked at Dell for a number of years. Dell, at the time I was there, was a grind culture. The colleague next to me was still at work at 6 p.m. Well, I’m going to wait until they leave. It was a competition to see who could stay at work the latest. I was completely absorbed in that mentality for my first year at Dell. Then I wondered what the hell I was doing. Then I stopped. And it was so liberating. I worked hard for a focused period of time and then went home. Guess what? My reviews stayed the same. No difference if I stayed later or left earlier.

I’ve adopted that “no grind culture” into every aspect of my life since I left Dell (and into retirement). And I believe that approach helped me be successful in my career, build great teams, and achieve some pretty amazing results, and not suffer burnout. Are there times we have to burn the midnight oil? Of course. But it shouldn’t be a daily exercise – otherwise we are going to crash and burn (and likely destroy some relationships along the way).

Ok, so I’ve rambled on for a bit about “grind culture” and why I’m against it. But what the hell am I trying to say? It would be this: Make time to unplug, recharge, refresh, have some “me” time. You’ll be much happier and (mentally) healthier in the long run.  

Until next week.

Andy

(All written content created the old-fashioned way.)