Do I need to make more money, or would I rather make the same amount and have more time for myself? That question completely shifted how I think about work.
If you’re constantly switched on, overwhelmed, and feeling like you can’t take your foot off the gas for even a second, you’re not alone. Hustle culture makes us believe that if we stop, everything will fall apart. That we have to keep working—even if that means late nights, weekends, and sacrificing our well-being.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. 🙌
I want to share three books that completely changed the way I approach work, my business, and my time. These books helped me de-hustle my business and break free from the toxic productivity mindset that had me believing I needed to do more, push harder, and sacrifice everything to succeed.
If you’re feeling exhausted, overworked, or on the edge of burnout, these books might be exactly what you need.
Book 1: It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work
By Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
This book was a game-changer. I’ve read it at least five times because every time, it reminds me of something crucial: chaos in business isn’t necessary—it’s a choice.
Before reading this book, I thought the stress and overwhelm in my business were just part of the deal. But in reality, much of that chaos came from hustle culture narratives that I had absorbed without even realizing it.
Two key takeaways from this book:
1. Six-week planning cycles – Instead of planning entire quarters or years in advance, they plan in six-week cycles with clear, focused goals. This approach helps businesses stay adaptable without getting stuck in rigid long-term plans.
2. A seasonal four-day workweek – They implement a four-day workweek in the summer and return to five days in the winter. This flexibility keeps employees energized, productive, and able to actually live their lives.
When I read this book, I was deep in burnout mode. It was the summer of 2023, and I was just starting to recover from severe burnout that had hit me at the start of the year. This book played a huge role in my healing process, and I highly recommend it to anyone feeling overwhelmed by their business.
Book 2: Shorter
By Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
This book solidified my decision to move to a four-day workweek. If the idea of working less makes you panic—thinking you’ll make less money, be less productive, or fall behind—this book will completely change your perspective!
The author presents overwhelming evidence that working less does not mean earning less. In fact, shorter workweeks often lead to:
✅ Higher productivity
✅ Increased revenue
✅ Better mental health and work-life balance
I’ve been working a four-day workweek for almost two years now, and I can confidently say that I’m more productive, less stressed, and no longer in constant fight-or-flight mode.
I take Wednesdays off, so I work two days, rest, then work two more days. This schedule has been life-changing. If you’ve been considering shifting to a four-day workweek, I highly recommend reading this book.
Book 3: Slow Productivity
By Cal Newport
This is a newer book, but it’s already had a massive impact on how I approach work. Cal Newport breaks down the toxic productivity myths we’ve all internalised—the ones that tell us we should be working late nights, giving up our social lives, and constantly doing more.
I’ve been there.
I’ve literally said the words, “I can’t socialise this month because I need to work.” 🥲
And looking back, I can see just how toxic that mindset was. Now, not only do I have a spacious, sustainable business, but I also help other people create the same freedom in theirs.
Newport shares three key principles for slow productivity:
1. Do fewer things – Focus on what truly moves the needle instead of adding unnecessary tasks.
2. Work at a natural pace – Design your work schedule around your energy, not arbitrary deadlines.
3. Obsess over quality – Prioritise deep, high-quality work over constant busywork.
This book helped me recognise how much hustle culture had tricked me into believing I had to do everything. In my previous business, I tried to keep up with massive marketing strategies designed for companies with full teams of employees—even though it was just me. The result? Burnout, exhaustion, and slipping quality.
Now, I focus on doing less, working in alignment with my energy, and prioritising quality over quantity.
More Tips on How to De-Hustle your Business
These three books, read together, will completely shift how you see work, productivity, and success.
When we first start our businesses, we need to grow and bring in revenue. But at some point, we hit a crossroad:
➡️ Do I need to make more money?
➡️ Or would I rather make the same amount and have more time for myself?
Hustle culture tells us to always choose “more money.” But what if that’s not actually what we want?
So many small business owners feel trapped by the pressure to constantly do more—but that pressure is just hustle culture choking us. It’s draining our energy, affecting our relationships, and making us miserable.
It doesn’t have to be this way!
There is another way to grow your business—without burnout, stress, or sacrificing your life.
Grab My Free Guide: 10 Ways to De-Hustle Your Business
If you’re ready to start detoxing from hustle culture, I’ve created a free guide that walks you through:
✅ 10 toxic hustle culture myths that might be holding you back
✅ Practical ways to replace them with sustainable business practices
✅ A free audio version so you can listen on the go
The first step to de-hustling your business is recognising where hustle culture is creeping in—and giving yourself permission to step away from it.
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