The Comfortable Hustle: Does It Increase or Decrease Productivity?

By Yosef Solomon on May 18, 2010

The word “Hustle” has taken on a number of connotations in the English language. From a popular dance fad in the 70′s to its common association with selling drugs. However, in this post I’ll be using it in the context of another related definition: “to proceed or work rapidly or energetically”. I think this definition is accurate in the modern description of “Hustle,” but I’d to put a new flavor on it. “The Comfortable Hustle. What is “The Comfortable Hustle” you ask? Well, it’s basically grinding or working really hard, in the most comfortable least resistant way possible.

Making our work environment fun, relaxing and comfortable is one of the most important elements in increasing productivity. When we’re in tune with our environment, we allow ourselves more concentration to the task at hand. To clarify, when I say environment, I’m referring to the space and features we utilize when doing our work.

Whether it’s on a park bench in the city or on the steps of our front porch, our environment encompasses inspiration we can use to fuel our productivity. It’s similar to how many of us listen to music while at the gym. The music almost changes the environment we’re in because we become so in tune with the music . As time goes on, we feel as though without the music, we can no longer workout to our full capacity. This is a perfect example of how we can alter our environment to increase our productivity.

In high school I would try to do homework while watching TV, but this never worked. It was impossible for me to be productive, while trying to concentrate on something else. I think most of us put ourselves in this position without even knowing it. We might try to start a project at home, but constantly get distracted by the littlest things. Although we may feel comfortable at home, it might not be the most productive environment for us. In college, I would often find myself getting most of my work done after 12AM. That’s because I’d try to study with friends during the day, but it was a lost cause because we’d just distract each other the whole time (thanks YouTube).

So what’s the answer to the question in the title, “Does The Comfortable Hustle Increase or Decrease Productivity?…” Well, it depends. The definition of comfort is ambiguous and not the most descriptive work habit. However, at the end of the day, it’s about how we approach a project and our willingness to execute it. Once our comfort becomes synonymous with productivity, we’ll be able to complete our projects without distractions and/or procrastination. I constantly compare and contrast the most effective work environments for my productivity. Whether it’s a busy Starbucks or a quiet library, it’s important to realize what environment works for you and whether you can be comfortable/productive there.