Hustle Culture: Is Gen Z Lagging Behind Millennials?

A generational divide is growing in the modern workplace. On one side are the Millennials, a generation that came of age in the wake of a financial crisis, often embracing an "always on" hustle culture. This relentless drive for success has, for many, led to immense wealth and the founding of today's leading companies.

But it has also come at a heavy cost: widespread burnout. Now, as Gen Z enters the workforce with a clear focus on work-life balance, a question hangs in the air: is this the first generation in decades that won't be as economically successful as the one before it?

The answer, it seems, depends entirely on how you define success.

The Millennial Playbook and Its Cost

For years, the professional playbook was straightforward: work hard, work long, and climb the corporate ladder. This was the mentality that fueled the rise of many Millennial-led companies and careers. Success was often measured by hours spent at the office, the speed of one's climb up the corporate hierarchy, and the size of a paycheck. This approach, while effective in many ways, has created a legacy of exhaustion. The “always on” culture that built so much has left an entire generation grappling with the consequences of putting work before personal well-being.

Gen Z has seen this and is, for the most part, rejecting it. They are not less ambitious; their ambition is simply channeled differently.

Redefining Ambition

The idea that Gen Z’s focus on balance equals a lack of ambition is, according to some leaders, a dangerous misconception. Matt Kovacs, the President of Blaze PR, directly challenges this narrative. “I don’t buy it,” he says, believing that Gen Z's "hustle is different, but it’s real.” He sees his own daughter and her peers as focused on something more valuable than endless hours at the office. Instead, they are "chasing impact, efficiency, and purpose.”

For years, the professional playbook was straightforward: work hard, work long, and climb the corporate ladder.

This perspective suggests that the younger generation is not looking for a shortcut to success but a smarter, more sustainable path. The Millennial generation “burned out trying to climb traditional ladders,” notes Mr. Kovacs. In contrast, Gen Z is “building new ladders,” creating their own opportunities through side hustles, startups, and innovative uses of technology. Their work ethic is not less, but it is more strategic, focusing energy where it can have the most impact rather than simply on being present. Mr. Kovacs argues that this may be the “smarter long game,” as it could ultimately redefine what economic success even looks like.

The Rise of the Multi-Income Entrepreneur

The idea that the 9-to-5 job is the only path to wealth is also being challenged by Gen Z's behavior. Many are looking beyond the traditional paycheck to build multiple income streams. Ben Mandell, a serial entrepreneur and media producer, believes this is the key to both financial and personal success. "The best potential for work-life balance is to create multiple income streams," he says. He emphasizes that "beyond 9 to 5 is where the action is," advocating for the development of "products and services that make you money while you sleep."

This perspective shifts the focus from a single, all-consuming career to a diversified portfolio of work. It is an entrepreneurial mindset that encourages young people to build a life they love, where "work is more than a paycheck or an 80-hour workweek.” This approach is not a rejection of hard work, but a rejection of a work model that demands constant sacrifice without guaranteeing a sustainable, fulfilling future. It is a proactive step toward building financial security and personal freedom on one's own terms.

A New Measure of Success

The debate between the Millennial hustle and the Gen Z balance may be a false one. It is not about one generation being better or worse than the other, but about two generations navigating two very different economic and cultural landscapes. Millennials were taught that an upward climb on a single career path was the best way to succeed. Gen Z, witnessing the burnout that often accompanies that path, is charting a new course.

The question of whether Gen Z will be as economically successful as Millennials is incomplete. It implies that success is a singular, unchanging metric. Instead, Gen Z may be building a new definition of success, one that values freedom, fulfillment, and well-being alongside wealth. Their success may not look like a traditional corner office or a title at a major corporation. It may look like a thriving side business, passive income streams, and the ability to truly disconnect at the end of the day.

And in a world where burnout is a constant threat, that may be the most valuable form of success of all.