---
title: "The Hustler’s Playbook: What A Hustler Is | The Sales Blog"
description: The word “hustler” sometimes has a negative connotation. Some people believe that a “hustler” is someone who is trying to take advantage of them, that they are “being hustled.” That’s not what it means here. Here the connotation is nothing but positive. A hustler is someone who knows what they want and is willing to […]
image: https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_140943586.jpg
---

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# The Hustler’s Playbook: What A Hustler Is

![Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/ai-blog-profile-crop.jpg)

Post by [Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/author/anthony-iannarino)   
 May 10, 2014

The word “hustler” sometimes has a negative connotation. Some people believe that a “hustler” is someone who is trying to take advantage of them, that they are “being hustled.” That’s not what it means here. Here the connotation is nothing but positive.

- **A [hustler](http://thesalesblog.com/blog/2013/07/08/the-hustlers-workweek/) is someone who knows what they want and is willing to take action to get it**. They have a very strong bias for action.
- **Hustlers are inherently impatient.** They are averse to waiting for things to come their way.
- **A hustler is a self-starter.** No one has to tell them [what to do](http://thesalesblog.com/blog/2014/04/19/the-hustlers-playbook-let-no-one-tell-you-what-to-do/). They don’t need to be motivated or inspired because they have a big enough reason “why” already burning inside them.
- **A hustler is determined beyond anything a non-hustler can imagine.** They aren’t put off by their [failures](http://thesalesblog.com/blog/2012/11/04/the-freedom-to-fail/), and they don’t give up on their dreams. When one thing doesn’t work, they keep trying things until they figure out how to get the result they need.
- **A hustler is a maverick.** They’re difficult to manage because they color outside the lines. They want the outcome, even if it means that the method for achieving it is unconventional.
- **Hustlers don’t punch a clock.** They don’t count the hours they work, they count the outcomes they produce. Hustlers don’t hit the snooze button either.
- **A hustler builds relationships.** They need friends, allies, and fellow hustlers to help them get things done. They build and work the hustler network. They surround themselves with other hustlers.
- **Hustlers want things.** They don’t feel bad about wanting a nice car, a nice house, or nice clothes. They know that it is their right to have those things when they’ve earned them, when they deserve them.
- **Hustlers have a bigger vision of themselves.** They believe they are capable of great things. They know that they have room to grow and, no matter how successful they are, they still see a lot of runway in front of them.
- **Hustlers aren’t selfish or self-oriented.** They know that the greater outcomes they want are only found through creating greater value for more people. They only earn what they are worth, and they increase that worth all of the time.

There you go, hustler.

###### Tags:

[Sales](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/sales) [Hustler](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/hustler) [The Hustler's Playbook](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/the-hustlers-playbook) [2014](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/2014)

Post by [Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/author/anthony-iannarino)  on May 10, 2014

 Written and edited by human brains and human hands.

![Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/ai-blog-profile-crop.jpg)

Anthony Iannarino is an American writer. He has published daily at [thesalesblog.com](https://www.thesalesblog.com) for more than 14 years, amassing over 5,300 articles and making this platform a destination for salespeople and sales leaders. Anthony is also the author of four best-selling books documenting modern sales methodologies and a fifth book for sales leaders seeking revenue growth. His latest book for an even wider audience is titled, The Negativity Fast: Proven Techniques to Increase Positivity, Reduce Fear, and Boost Success.

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