Hustle Machine - Ugly Brain Babies (and dealing with criticism)

Ugly Brain Babies (and dealing with criticism)

04/20/22 • 30 min

Today’s episode is all about criticism, so try to be gentle in the comments if you don’t like it, OK?

There’s a lot to criticize, whether for good or ill, in this episode. We work on breaking the fourth wall of the internet in the early going, while Zack lists his personal pain list as he dwells on the perils of aging.

It doesn’t get more comfortable as we jump into the topic at hand, either. Jason admits he doesn’t take criticism well, then confuses Oscar Martinez with Oscar the Grouch (a common mistake, surely). We debate the efficacy of our criticism metaphors involving sandwiches and bookends, try to figure out why clients always pick the worst of any given list of options and even make the first fart joke of the podcast in a historic milestone for Hustle Machine.

Overall, though, you’ll have to learn to take criticism, one way or another. If you avoid criticism, you do yourself a disservice.

Certainly you can disagree with a client, but you’ll have to accept their choices on some matters, even if the mentor or peer group you find might agree with your assessment over them. Only one of them is paying you, after all.

No matter how precious your “brain baby,” as Jason coined the term, sometimes you’ll just have to accept the client finds it ugly and wants a different option. The important thing is not to wallow in that criticism but to move on and find a way to meet the client’s demands.

If nothing else, just know that a client’s criticism of your most precious brain baby is probably less brutal than Zack’s masseuse pointing out his back fat, so there’s that, at least.

Give today’s show a listen, give it a like and maybe even leave some feedback, as long as it’s not too critical. We’ve learned to take it, of course, even Jason. But, still, don’t be too rough with us, alright? There’s only so much dark and hopeless brooding we can do on each critical comment, so don’t go too overboard or you’ll leave us unable to move forward for all the wallowing.

Until next time, Hustle on!

Today’s episode is all about criticism, so try to be gentle in the comments if you don’t like it, OK?

Overall, though, you’ll have to learn to take criticism, one way or another. If you avoid criticism, you do yourself a disservice.

If nothing else, just know that a client’s criticism of your most precious brain baby is probably less brutal than Zack’s masseuse pointing out his back fat, so there’s that, at least.

Until next time, Hustle on!

Previous Episode

Rotisserie chicken at the back of Costco

Because we know you’re here for our witty banter as much as our extensive business acumen, we once again start off on a lighter note this week, talking about the etiquette of headphone fashion choices and castigating Zack for his debilitating Apple products addiction. Still, he makes up for it this episode with a proper shout-out to our championship Georgia Bulldogs, so we’ll let it slide this time.

This week’s topic is on loss leaders: when do you create something for a client just to gain exposure, versus when do you stick to your guns and demand payment for service?

We don’t issue hard and fast rules here at Hustle Machine very often, so we don’t outright tell you not to provide something for a client for free. Circumstances are wildly variable, so it may work out for you. A free job for the right client really can lead to a great deal of paying business down the line if things work out well and you can reap the benefits of a loss leader project for a long time to come.

Still, we tend to advise entrepreneurs to avoid outright free loss leaders. What works well for a retail business is often less effective for a small business owner. You’ll want to be careful about doing anything for exposure alone. After all, once you’ve opened the door, where does it close?

To quote Jason’s better half, “No is a complete sentence.” Don’t be afraid to ask for payment, even if it’s only to cover costs, rather than a full price bill. Charge something, negotiate for your needs and know that your work is more valuable than a rotisserie chicken at the back of a Costco.

We also take time to talk about when it's appropriate to lend help to a friend, discuss proper technique for unpacking after a vacation and listen to Jason sing a snippet of “Schoolhouse Rock” for your listening pleasure.

Know that we believe in getting paid here at Market House, even if we do offer Hustle Machine for free. Exposure is great, but cash is much better.

Go Dawgs!

Next Episode

Toxic Thinking & Hustle Culture

This week on Hustle Machine, Zack's got beef. And apparently Jason is ready for him to dish!

Zack saw an influencer recently post about being in a gym. They were up early. The gym was empty. Then, the influencer began to shame their followers (unsuccessfully we might add):

I'm up doing this. And everyone else who doesn't want it bad enough is still at home in bed.

While we have to stretch ourselves and put ourselves in difficult situations, there's a toxic trait in hustle culture that tries to use shaming as a tactic to pus people to hustle harder. And that simply won't fly.

When the hustle turns toxic

When it comes to achieving success with a business, it's not necessary to fall into line with the rest of hustle culture in order to get to the goal line. In fact, hustle culture has turned toxic. It's even become this vile, messed-up badge of honor that you are working harder and longer than everyone else.

BUT, the problem is, life isn't a contest. While there are fights and struggles on the road to success, there is no need to be the most tired, the most burned out, the most physically destroyed in the journey towards personal or professional success.

There are no trophies from hustle culture

Years ago at a conference, a successful entrepreneur told the guys that success was found through hard work and putting your personal life on hold. Wait. Full Stop. Yeah, you read that right. What a terrible piece of advice.

The path to the goal line in business should be a balance between personal and professional joys, hard work, and a healthy outlook on life. Bring value and energy to your life and interactions instead of leaching your energy from others. In no way should you ever make someone feel less than.

Until next time, Hustle on!