The Golden Rules of a Hustler
Look, there are no magic “success formulas.” No “wake up at 5 a.m. and journal your way to a billion.” Forget that crap. What you do need are a few simple rules that keep your head clear, your energy up, and your hustle alive. Here’s my playbook.
1. Wake up when it makes sense
Not at 4 a.m., not with some guru routine. Just find your rhythm and stick to it. Could be 7 a.m., could be 10 a.m. The real flex is consistency, not pretending to be The Rock.
2. Cut dumb expenses, not joy
Skipping coffee won’t make you rich. Nobody hit millionaire status by canceling lattes. But yeah, stop buying your 10th pair of sneakers “just because.” My rule: if you want something, wait a day. Still want it tomorrow? Cool, grab it.
3. Money isn’t the goal
If it’s always “10k → 20k → 30k,” you’re on an endless hamster wheel. Define your f** you money* — that number where you can just do whatever the hell you want. That’s the target, not infinite grind mode.
4. Weekly digital detox
Your brain’s fried because you’re scrolling 24/7. Once a week, kill the Wi-Fi. No phone, no feed, no Slack. Hang with people, touch some grass, or just vibe solo. You’ll come back with actual energy.
5. Cold (but not insane) showers
No need to torture yourself with ice baths like you’re in some Navy SEAL training. Just hit a cool shower when you’re drained. 10 minutes later, cortisol drops, focus back on. Simple hack.
6. Protect your eyes, bro
Your vision tanks, your productivity tanks. Headaches, brain fog, the works. Go get your eyes checked, buy glasses that don’t suck. ROI = instant.
7. Own your screw-ups
Failing is a feature, not a bug. In Israel they literally run “fuck-up nights” where founders brag about their biggest flops. Why? ’Cause wins can be lucky, but failures teach real skills. Stop hiding yours — wear them like badges.
8. Live by your calendar
If it’s not scheduled, it doesn’t exist. Period. Add it to the calendar, give it a deadline, then knock it out in the first 10 minutes. Boom — dopamine hit, momentum rolling.
9. Change your scene
Working remote? Brain fried? Step outside. Fifteen minutes, no phone, just walk. It’s like hitting a reset button on your head. Same vibe as a cold shower, less wet.
10. Keep trying new sh*t
Half an hour a day, explore something random: new app, new tech, new trend. Keeps your brain sharp and open. Remember — the guys who bought Bitcoin at $1 weren’t “geniuses.” They just weren’t scared to try.
That’s it. The “Golden Rules.” Not commandments, just stuff that actually works. Pick what vibes with you and keep moving.
Ben Litvin
Founder at HustleApp
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