A social media exchange recently caught my attention:

'Happy people are those who sleep less and hustle.'

Having spent years immersed in Silicon Valley's tech culture, I understand the allure – and the potential pitfalls – of this mindset.

The 'hustle' mentality paints a picture of relentless effort, a daily struggle fueled by fear.

But let's pause and truly ask ourselves: what are we striving for?

Is this constant state of 'survival mode' a sustainable path to success?

Or is it a relentless cycle fueled by underlying anxieties and deeply ingrained beliefs?

The truth is, many of us endure chronic stress because we've internalized the idea that overachieving is the right way to live.

Those persistent whispers of self-doubt, that inner critic, become a relentless driving force, pushing high-achieving professional women toward the edge of burnout.

Now, let's dig deeper into the effects of chronic stress in the workplace.

Studies show that chronic stress interferes with professional lives, impacting everything from work performance to relationships.

In the workplace, stress and anxiety most often impacts …

• workplace performance (56 percent)
• relationship with co-workers and peers (51 percent)
• quality of work (50 percent)
• relationships with managers (43 percent)

Source: America Psychology Association

Productive vs toxic stress

Productive stress can motivate you to achieve peak performance. But it also can damage your health. Neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf distinguishes between beneficial stress (Level I), which enhances focus, and toxic stress (Level III), which damages health.

Managing stress effectively requires mindful examination of our thoughts, as they shape our subconscious and influence our actions.

Proactive stress management: Belief shifts and actionable steps

Do you want to continue living a high-stress lifestyle?

I understand the feeling – the sense of being trapped in a mid-career role, believing you have no choice but to endlessly endure.

I've been there. Early in my career, I was conditioned to believe it was 'up or out,' fostering a drive to control every aspect of my career and conform to societal and corporate expectations.

We all crave control, but the paradox is this: the tighter our grip, the more elusive it becomes.

Now, many mid-career professional women yearn for happiness, freedom, and careers aligned with their values. While we can't control every external factor – the environment, culture, or people – we can control our thoughts and actions.

Through mindful thinking and visualization, we can reshape our reality.

Neuroscience confirms the power of visualization; by shifting our focus from limitations to possibilities, we unlock new paths. This journey from relentless hustle to intentional action is within reach.

Here are five practical steps to guide you:

1. Challenge self-limiting beliefs: Begin by identifying those ingrained beliefs that whisper, "You have no choice," or "This is the only path." Question their validity. Ask yourself, "Is this belief absolutely true? What tangible evidence supports it?" If the answer is no, replace those limiting narratives with empowering ones. What more helpful beliefs can you actively choose to embrace? Write them down. Reflect on them. Share them with the people you trust and challenge these beliefs together.
2. Cultivate inner awareness through mindfulness and self-reflection: Become a keen observer of your thoughts. Identify patterns that may be unknowingly holding you back. Clarify your core values and goals. Ensure your actions are aligned with what truly matters to you. Practice gratitude. Shift your focus to the abundance of opportunities and blessings in your life.
3. Cultivate a mindset of community. Don't hustle alone: Recognize the importance of seeking and receiving support. Take deliberate steps to build a network of trusted supporters and allies who believe in your character strengths and provide candid feedback. Be open to leveraging both internal and external resources. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
4. Embrace idleness. It's not just okay to not be productive, it's vital for your overall health: Guilty of not working hard or busy enough? You're not alone. In a world that glorifies busyness, it's easy to feel like you're falling short if you're not constantly 'productive'. We've fallen into the 'Busy Trap,' where being busy equals being valuable. But is this truly the case? Tim Kreider, in his insightful article, argues that we've wrongly vilified idleness. He reminds us that 'idleness... is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets.' It's a compelling image, isn't it? Perhaps our relentless pursuit of busyness isn't a rational choice, but a moral imperative, driven by societal expectations rather than our own well-being.
5. Take breaks. Think of it as strategic rest: Recent studies demonstrate that hourly breaks significantly boost productivity. Dr. Lleras explains, 'When faced with long tasks, it is best to impose brief breaks on yourself. Brief mental breaks will actually help you stay focused on your task. Incorporate short breaks every 50 minutes, or switch to a different task for a change of pace'. Take a moment to step away. Grab a sip of water, gaze out the window. Notice the sky, the sunlight – small details we often miss when we're constantly pushing forward. These moments of pause can be surprisingly rejuvenating.

By actively and consistently engaging in these practices, we can begin to shift from the mindset of relentless hustling to embrace a more sustainable approach to accomplishing our work and life, while creating more space for joy. Remember, awareness is the beginning of change. Consistency is key.

Today, hustle less, sleep more.

Living fully. Living well.

Corinna Kong

© 2025 Corinna Kong. All Rights Reserved.

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