Why Hustle Culture Is Killing Women’s Careers—And What to Do Instead

Ever feel like you’re doing everything but getting nowhere? You’re not alone. Hustle culture is quietly draining the energy and ambition of high-performing women—and in this episode, we expose exactly how.

Hosted by certified HR pro and career strategist Olajumoke Fatoki, this episode reveals the hidden trap behind hustle culture and how it convinces ambitious professionals to equate overwhelm with success. Spoiler: it doesn’t work. Instead, Jumoke shares the breakthrough mindset that helped her pivot from burnout to balance—using the one strategy that transformed her results.

Listen in and discover:

• The moment Jumoke realized her hustle wasn’t working—and what changed everything
• A behind-the-scenes HR story that explains why 20% of employees were paid more (and how you can apply it)
• A practical 3-part 80/20 career audit to help you identify your most valuable tasks, zone of genius, and growth levers

If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and start thriving intentionally, hit play now. And don’t miss your chance to join the LinkedIn Visibility Bootcamp: Holiday Edition on December 27 & 28. Two days. No fluff. Just clarity, strategy, and visibility that converts. [Register via the link in the show notes.]

Transcript

Olajumoke Fatoki:

Do you ever feel like you have to be everywhere all the time doing everything just to keep up?

In this episode, I'm sharing why hustle culture isn't just exhausting. It's actually a career killer. And I'll also be sharing more about how you can build real growth without burning out—using one principle that changed everything for me.

Welcome to the Thrive Careers Podcast, the show helping ambitious women in Canada, the United States, and the UK build fulfilling careers without burning out. If you're ready to go from stuck and self-doubt to confident and in control, then you're in the right place.

Hey you. Yes, I mean you. If you're listening to this episode while multitasking, you're on the go, or you're half-scrolling through Instagram or TikTok—I see you. You're not alone.

Because I've been there.

I've been that woman trying to be everywhere, doing everything at once: podcasting, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, even LinkedIn. I was constantly on—24/7. Rest felt like an expensive luxury. And honestly? It made me feel guilty. I’d hear that whisper in my head, "Should you really be sleeping when there's still work to do?"

So I'd jump up, grab my laptop, and start doing the next thing. Then the next thing. I had no boundaries—just this endless grind to grow, to be visible, to stay consistent.

But let’s get into why we’re really having this conversation.

Hustle culture? It’s not a strategy. It’s a trap.

And I say that confidently because I’ve walked that path.

Hustle culture is sneaky. It glamorizes burnout. It convinces you that if you’re not overwhelmed, you’re not doing enough. So you keep going—until you hit the point of no return.

But here's what I learned the hard way—and what I want to teach you today: hustle gives you the illusion of progress, but not real results. It drains your energy. It muddies your focus. And eventually, it disconnects you from your purpose.

I quickly realized this was a never-ending marathon. It would never stop unless I stopped it. That moment became my turning point.

I remember that my effort wasn't matching my outcome. I was creating content, running a business, managing multiple platforms—but not seeing the traction I expected.

Then I remembered something from my time as an HR professional. I worked at an organization where 20% of employees were getting paid significantly more than everyone else. I saw the data, and at first I thought it was unfair.

But then I realized what was really happening. The organization had applied the Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 rule. They discovered that 20% of their employees were driving 80% of the results. And so, they compensated those people accordingly.

That moment shifted everything for me. I stopped asking, "How can I do more?" and started asking, "What actually moves the needle?"

Let’s talk about the Pareto Principle. It says that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. This is true everywhere:

• 20% of your tasks generate 80% of your progress
• 20% of your clients drive 80% of your revenue
• 20% of your habits shape 80% of your performance

But most of us? We spend 80% of our time on low-value distractions. Then we wonder why we’re burned out and not seeing results.

I realized I was doing too much, but not going deep enough. So I streamlined, I aligned, and I focused. And I saw results.

My podcast started to grow organically. My YouTube picked up. And it all happened without burnout.

Now, let’s shift the focus to you.

How can you apply this if you’re a professional, manager, or someone passionate about growth?

Here’s your 3-part 80/20 Career Audit:

1. Track Your Wins
   • Review the last 60–90 days. What are you most proud of?
   • What created visible outcomes? Recognition? Results?
   • Where do you consistently add value? That’s your 20%.
2. Analyze Your Calendar
   • Which tasks drain you but don’t create results?
   • What gets you noticed, builds relationships, or influences decisions?
   • Highlight your impact activities: mentoring, presenting, solving problems, or delivering results.
3. Zoom in on Your Zone of Genius
   • What do people come to you for?
   • What feels effortless but generates big impact?
   • That’s not just talent—that’s your superpower. That’s your leverage.

When you do this audit, your 20% becomes clear. And you can double down.

Thrive Hack of the Week:

Do your 80/20 audit.
 Look at your calendar, inbox, and to-do list. Ask yourself: What 20% is creating 80% of your energy, visibility, and growth?
Pause or delegate one low-value task from the 80%.

Recap:

Hustle culture rewards burnout. Smart careers reward alignment.

Your 20% deserves your attention. You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be intentional.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a woman who’s tired of being tired.

And if you're ready to be strategically visible and energized, join me for the LinkedIn Visibility Bootcamp: Holiday Edition, December 27 & 28. Two days of clarity, strategy, and real growth. No fluff. Spots are filling fast—register now via the link in the show notes.

Thanks for listening. I’ll see you in the next episode!