‘Grind mode’? ‘Routine maxxing’? Social media debates the ‘best’ full-on approach to work

A viral X post from late last year pitted images depicting two hustle-culture lifestyles side by side: tech bro hoodie and Notes app icon on one side, a business suit and a copy of Cal Newport’s Deep Work on the other side.

“Left guy will most likely beat the right guy,” it concluded. “Guy on the left makes more money but guy on the right is happier,” one user commented. 

Whether it’s “grind mode,” “routine maxxing” or some other high-octane “sleep when you’re dead” approach to work...