Leave the Grind Behind - Redefining Personal Success in Logistics

Picture this: it's a beautiful day, the sun is shining, and you're on vacation, finally taking a well-deserved break. But instead of soaking in the moment, you find yourself glued to your phone, responding to work emails and taking calls. Sound familiar? Welcome to the world of “grind culture” in the transportation industry, where the hustle is glorified, Red Bull is a food group, and personal sacrifice is worn like a badge of honour. In the transportation industry, there are so many posts on social media about people who are “working” 14-hour days, 7 days a week. People are giving up sleep and rest, all in the name of the grind. This grind can cause adverse effects in three key areas: personally, culturally, and the business overall. In this 3 part series, we will explore all three, starting with the personal effects. Let’s delve into what the grind looks like and how it affects individuals on a personal level.

Why do we do it?

We're all familiar with it—the relentless urge to keep working long after we should have logged off. There's an overwhelming sense of guilt that many of us experience. This guilt stems from our past experiences working for companies that demanded maximum output from us. Whether we're working independently or for other companies, we find ourselves perpetuating this pattern, often encouraging newcomers to sacrifice their time just as we do. However, these sacrifices come with significant costs.

Health:

Due to this culture, many of us are putting our health at risk in the relentless pursuit of “success”. Hustle culture puts individuals into a perpetual state of 'fight or flight,' where the demands of work constantly override personal well-being. This chronic stress triggers a cascade of physiological responses, including the elevated cortisol levels. In the short term, this hormonal imbalance can manifest in various ways such as weight gain, headaches, and irritability, to name a few. The long-term consequences of sustained high cortisol levels are even more alarming. Research indicates that prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol levels can contribute to the development of serious health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and weakened bone density. These health risks underscore the sobering reality that the relentless pursuit of hustle culture comes at a steep price, one that far outweighs any perceived benefits of non-stop work.

Personal relationships:

Imagine sitting at dinner with your significant other, engrossed in their story about a frustrating family matter or work challenge. Suddenly, your phone starts buzzing incessantly—it's an urgent issue with one of your shipments. In that moment when your partner needs your undivided attention and support, you find yourself torn between them and the demands of work. Do you interrupt their narrative or pretend to listen while secretly waiting to address the pressing matter on your phone? If this scenario were posted on Reddit, the consensus would likely label you as the a-hole. Although your partner may reassure you that it's ok, it’s not. Each time you prioritize work over your relationships—whether it's with your significant other, children, friends, or other family members—you chip away at the foundation of those connections, slowly eroding any trust and intimacy that you previously built together.

Mental well-being:

Even if you're passionate about your work, the relentless expectation to be constantly available takes a toll on your mental health. Everyone needs downtime to recharge and maintain their well-being, regardless of their level of enthusiasm for their job. The unrelenting pressure to work around the clock can lead to heightened stress levels, burnout, and a decline in overall mental wellness. Burnout can lead to a diminished immune system, increased alcohol and drug consumption, and unpredictable mood swings. Neglecting this need for rest not only undermines individual resilience but also perpetuates a harmful cycle of exhaustion and reduced productivity.

Long-term personal success:

No one can indefinitely sustain the relentless pace that's often held as the industry standard. Human beings inevitably experience fatigue, illness, and fluctuations in motivation. For a sustainable career in this demanding field, it's crucial to prioritize consistency over constant availability. Consistency ensures that customers and vendors can rely on you to deliver dependable service and meet mutual expectations. However, if you've trained your customers to expect 24/7 availability, maintaining that level of responsiveness becomes an unsustainable burden over time. The reality is that many individuals may initially believe they can handle the demands of constant availability, only to find themselves overwhelmed and burnt out in the long run.

How do you leave the grind behind?

Build boundaries and communicate them clearly: Take time to reflect on your personal and professional boundaries, and consider work hours and the types of tasks you are willing to take on. Communicate your boundaries clearly to colleagues, clients, and superiors. Clearly stating what you can and cannot accommodate helps manage expectations and prevents misunderstandings. Assertive communication techniques can help enforce your boundaries respectfully but firmly.

Cross-train with someone: Identify a trusted colleague or team member who can share responsibilities and tasks with you. Cross-training allows for greater flexibility and support within the team, reducing the burden of work on individual members. Collaborate with your cross-trained partner to ensure a smooth transition of tasks and responsibilities. Sharing knowledge and skills strengthens teamwork and promotes mutual support within the workplace. 

Set clear expectations: Prioritize transparency and clarity when setting expectations with clients, colleagues, and supervisors. Clearly outline project timelines, deliverables, and communication procedures to avoid misunderstandings. Regularly revisit and update expectations as needed, particularly when circumstances change. Open communication ensures alignment and prevents conflicts or disappointments down the line. 

Have clear contracts with clients and carriers: Develop comprehensive contracts or agreements with clients and carriers that outline the scope of work, payment terms, and any other relevant terms and conditions. Clarity in contractual agreements reduces the risk of disputes or misunderstandings later on. 

Have non-negotiables: Identify your non-negotiable priorities and boundaries, both personally and professionally. These may include designated downtime for self-care, family commitments, or core values that guide your decision-making. Hold firm to your non-negotiables, even in the face of pressure or temptation to compromise. Respecting your own boundaries and priorities reinforces self-respect and sets a precedent for others to follow suit. 

Have empathy: Cultivate empathy towards yourself and others in the workplace. Recognize the challenges and limitations faced by colleagues, clients, and carriers, and strive to understand their perspectives and needs. Practice active listening and offer support and understanding when others express their concerns or struggles. Building empathetic relationships fosters trust, collaboration, and a supportive work environment conducive to well-being and success.

To leave the grind culture behind, it's important to establish clear boundaries, communicate effectively, and foster empathy. Cross-training with colleagues, setting expectations, and maintaining non-negotiable priorities are key strategies that can help people have a much more balanced lifestyle enabling them to prioritize mental well-being and cultivate a healthier work culture. In the next post of this series, we will look at how Grind culture affects the overall culture in the industry.