Wellbeing is not Weakness

I used to think the secret to success was working until my eyeballs bled. Turns out, that’s just a fast track to burnout. For years, we’ve been sold the idea that real winners grind 24/7, that success is about who can suffer the most without breaking.

Courtesy of WIX Media

But here’s the problem: It’s not true. And worse? It’s terrible business.

Hustle culture has glorified exhaustion, convincing us that long hours and relentless work equal productivity. But research, science, and frankly, common sense all tell a different story: Overworked people make worse decisions, innovate less, and – eventually – crash. If success is a race, then burnout isn’t a hurdle; it’s a dead end.

The Hustle Fallacy: What Science Actually Says

I have a close friend who is a real hustle-culture bro. Works late nights, keeps ungodly working schedules, does the whole “work hard, play hard” shtick. Whenever I complain to him about working 12 hours or more in one day, he instinctively tries to one-up me. “Yeah, that’s tough. I worked 14 hours yesterday. In the dark. In a cave. While hunted for sport.” He’s bought into this culture so much, I am pretty sure he would gladly attempt a 25-hour workday. He would just set his alarm an hour earlier.

At the same time, his health has been in a steady decline over the past few years, his sleep is erratic, and he has stopped pursuing any passion or hobby outside of work. He hustles, yes. But does little else. And at what cost?

The evidence is clear: Overworking isn’t just bad for individuals, it’s bad for businesses, economies, and innovation.

• The WHO classified burnout as an official syndrome linked to chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been managed. Translation? Working yourself into the ground is a diagnosable problem.

  
  

• Experiments with the 4-day workweek in both Iceland and the UK showed that reducing work hours increased productivity and improved work-life balance.

  
  

• Harvard Business Review found that sleep deprivation reduces decision-making ability by 20-30%. Matthew Walker in “Why We Sleep” estimates that just a few nights of less-than-ideal sleep can diminish our performance to 40% of its potential. This all means those late-night grind sessions might actually be making you worse at your job.

  
  

Still think hustle is the answer? Think again. Even top performers in various industries prioritize sleep, exercise, and mental health. Because they know the truth: Recovery fuels performance, not the other way around.

The Stoicism Trap: Why ‘Grinding’ Isn’t Strength

There’s a particular brand of “toughness” floating around, especially in male-dominated spaces, that equates showing emotions with weakness. The modern misinterpretation of stoicism says: “Suffer in silence, never complain, never rest.” But let’s set the record straight.

Even Marcus Aurelius—the poster child for stoicism—acknowledged pain, reflection, and the need for balance. The idea that resilience means ignoring stress is nonsense.

The irony? The strongest people aren’t the ones who “tough it out” until they collapse. They’re the ones who know when to rest, when to ask for help, and when to set boundaries. The U.S. Navy SEALs team ethos is “Individuals play the game, but teams beat the odds.” Pretending you’re fine when you’re drowning isn’t bravery, it’s self-sabotage. Or do you think yourself tougher than a Navy SEAL?

In the workplace, it’s not just individuals who suffer. Companies that foster environments where people can’t admit they’re struggling create a culture of hidden burnout. And that costs them. Big time.

The Economics of Wellbeing: Why Caring is Profitable

Want to know what’s actually bad for business? Burnout. The numbers don’t lie:

• Gallup estimates that burned-out employees cost the global economy $322 billion annually in lost productivity.

  
  

• McKinsey & Co. found that companies with strong wellbeing initiatives outperform competitors by 20%.

  
  

• Companies that invest in mental health see a 4x return on investment through increased productivity and retention.

  
  

Many forward-thinking organizations have recognized this, implementing wellbeing programs not as a luxury, but as a strategy. When people feel good, they work better. Simple.

How to Fix It: Practical Shifts for Individuals and Companies

So, what’s the move?

For individuals:

• Set boundaries. Your job is important, but so is your health.

• Stop wearing exhaustion as a badge of honor. It’s not impressive, it’s destructive.

• Take care of yourself without guilt. Exercise, sleep, and time off aren’t luxuries; they’re fuel for long-term success.

  
  

For leaders:

• Encourage open conversations about stress and mental health.

• Implement real work-life balance policies (and lead by example).

• Recognize that wellbeing isn’t a “perk”; it’s a competitive advantage.

  
  

The Takeaway: Wellbeing is a Competitive Edge

Let me leave you with this: What if strength isn’t about suffering silently, but about creating a life where you don’t have to keep suffering?

Success isn’t about who can endure the most misery. It’s about who can sustain their performance over the long haul. Hustle culture is a short game. Prioritizing wellbeing? That’s how you play to win.