WHO Report Points to Major Problem With “Hustle Culture”
Plus, what I needed to hear about amateurism
After hitting on a heavy, yet important, topic first, we then shift to some more lighthearted items. One includes a message I needed to hear, and am sure others do as well, and then close with multiple notes from the Chicago World’s Fair that was over a century ago.
Overworked to Death
A WHO report (rightfully) points out a major problem with “hustle culture.” Researchers found that people who work at least 55 hours a week are at a 35% increased risk of stroke and a 17% increased risk of dying from heart disease.
Given that heart disease is already the leading cause of death in the U.S. and stroke is number five, hopefully, more people begin practicing a healthy work-life balance instead of simply preaching it.
Become an Amateur
This is a message I needed to hear. Be comfortable, and ideally embrace, being an amateur. Do something just for the joy it brings.
We often make so much of our lives public. In turn, making it possible, if not likely, we’ll receive criticism. Yes, criticism can lead to a drive to be better, but it can change your relationship with a hobby that’s meant to simply bring joy. The message is, it’s good to be an amateur.
Chicago World’s Fair
I picked up the book The Devil in the White City because of the author, Erik Larson. I didn’t know much about it other than the blurb on the cover, “Murder, magic, and the madness at the fair that changed America.”
The result was me learning these things about the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893:
- The Ferris wheel was invented to outshine the Eiffel Tower (which debuted at the Paris World’s Fair)
- The Pledge of Allegiance became a standard at schools after being recited for the first time during the opening ceremony
- Workers identified and used their leverage (because of a tight construction deadline) to get higher pay and improved benefits
