My next thing is my business, right here online, on my website. Like many of you, I am super committed to my business, to doing all that I can to make it work, and to make it the best I possibly could. There are so many choices, so much wonderful technology, and such a wealth of advice available to us on the internet all day, every day. It’s easy to go down the rabbit hole of hustle and get completely off track. These were the signs for me.
- Much like its close kin, shiny object syndrome, hustling for the glitzy shoulds and must do’s as recommended by online business experts blinded me to my own inner guidance system. I wasn’t creating my dream. Instead I was constantly chasing the brass ring, an ever-moving target that had little relationship to the real value of what I had to offer in my business.
- Hustling grates on my nerves and stresses me out. Hustling simply doesn’t resonate for me. It doesn’t make me happy or fulfilled. It robs the pleasure from the doing.
- Negativity is often the motivation for hustling. It seems to focus on a darker side of success. If you don’t do this now, you won’t get that. You have to be willing to hustle if you want to be successful. You’ll miss your chance, your one shot at this. The connotation here is that I have to give up something of personal value.
- Hustling blurrs the lines between my Big Why for being in business and the systems that support that business. Systems are important, but they’re not the primary focus. If I lose sight of the very substance of my business, then there’s nothing really there for the supports to hold up.
- Stopping, taking a deep breath amd a time-out allows me to reconnect with my why, supercharge my focus, and start enjoying again what I am doing.
Hustle work well for some folks. But that’s because it’s their chosen path. It does make them happy and keep them on track. But it definitely isn’t my path, and it doesn’t get the results I want. There are times when I will have to apply some hustle, but it’s not my primary way of operating in my business.
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This really got my attention, Jane: “Negativity is often the motivation for hustling. It seems to focus on a darker side of success.” So very true! When I find myself in a frenzy, I now know to stop, take a deep breath, and see what I’m afraid of.
Great post!
Yes, Susan. I imagine that fear is why hustle makes me so uneasy.
Phew! I’m so relieved to know that I’m not the only one who feels this way, Jane! Just a few days ago I discussed this with my husband. I don’t love the hustle. I have friends and colleagues who absolutely crush it with hustling and hacking; they are super successful and feel very comfortable in doing things this way. Then there’s me. I prefer process, research, and a slower pace. As you pointed out, hustle can be stressful. It’s the voice in my head yelling “Do this now or fail!” And that is not helpful. Thank you for writing about this topic and sharing your feelings with the world. It’s great to know I’m not alone. 🙂
I’m just as relieved to know that I’m not alone! Thank you, Meghan. I’m learning that I can folow my own path and still focus and have good results.
Personally I am very tired of the hustle as well, Jane. Maybe it has something to do with years of experience and a little bit of wisdom. Although I do LOVE learning new things and being “busy” and that is my thing. My key barometer is to follow my own inner guidance and only choose the things, which often look very enticing indeed, that won’t waste my time and energy.
At times I wonder why I am online and in so many social media threads and then I know it is time to take a break and refocus on my “why”. If the online world can help me to share information on health and wellness and also start new conversations and relationships, then it is a good thing.
There are so many choices we are bombarded with daily now in the online space, that I think you are being wise and know yourself well enough, to choose what works for you. Everyone benefits from that in the short and long run! Thanks for the reminder to continue being true to what works for me, regardless of what the “experts” say.
Beverly, I love your words about refocusing on your “why.’ I’m spending some time with this myself. When I feel I’m going down the rabbit hole, that’s exactly what I need to come back to.
Me too. I rather go at my own pace and be able to truly do my best and help others. Thanks for reminding me that I am not alone in this belief.
I agree, Sabrina. I think most of us are actually wired to honor our own way. Not necessarily my way, or the hustle way, just a person’s own way.
We can tell by the way we feel if we’re on track.
Ah yes, the rabbit hole. I has happened to me too. Your comments about inner guidance and seeking the pleasure and why are wonderful. I call this part – embodying my feminine rituals. And aligning with the divine – knowing and believing so much that it cannot NOT happen. That takes away some of the doubtful thoughts that we HAVE to follow another’s plan to be successful. Phooey to that and be gone the hustler that robs me of my power! 🙂
Beautifully put, Teresa. Thank you.
You make a very valid point… however.. you think about it… hustle is different for everyone… for me.. it’s just working the shit out of my business… and while I get what you are saying it isn’t meant to drive me nuts or make me work millions of hours… but I hear you… great job girl.
It is indeed different for everyone, Kristen! Your comment made me think back to the first year of a business I established in my mid-twenties. Yes, I did some hustle that first year, far beyond what I thought I was capable of doing. I certainly don’t regret it. It fit my overall picture and circumstance. I guess it does boil down to aligning with what’s true for oneself in the present moment.
I am looking for ease. In fact, I am starting a new venture that is a rather big project, but because I know it well, and I thoroughly enjoy the work — it FINALLY does not feel like work.
Melanie, that sounds wonderful. I’m trying (allowing myself, ha) to get to that spot. I’d love to know more about it. I’ll be checking your website.
My tendency is being a hustler. I am type A personality. However, I have to take it slow by keeping my priorities in mind. I still have one son at home whom I homeschool and that comes before building my business. When I keep my why in mind, and my priorities in front, I am able to keep my hustler contained.
Karen, I know that I have to revisit my priorities. I sense they’re a bit out of whack because I’m not always using my time to the best advantage. Thanks for the prompt to take a look and make some peace with this.
Great topic because it is one not many have talked about. When we first took our jewelry business online I was that hustler. Believed if I didn’t do this I would fail, or but that & learn the winning formula. It wasn’t until I was led to a wise webmaster/coach that guided my project driven personality to strategy that made sense.
Enjoyed others comments too. Must be something we all must learn at our own pace.
So true, Roz, that we have to learn it for ourselves. It is all a process, isn’t it? If we’re paying attention, we’ll get what we need to learn, including who we can best learn it from. If I can keep my thinking straight, the right actions seem to follow.
Hi Jane 🙂
Really enjoyed your post as it gave me a few things to thing about in my own business 🙂 Thanks for sharing your awesome tips!
Thanks, Joan. For me, hustle and being on automatic pilot sometimes goes together.
This post really resonates with me just now. I really don’t enjoy the hustle and sometimes get so caught up in it, allowing my fear to lead the way, that I forget why I started in the first place. Taking that deep breath and supercharging my focus is the only cure.
I agree, Tamuria. As soon as we realize from the way that we’re feeling that something’s off, it’s time to take that deep breath. Refocus.
Thank you for sharing this, Jane. It feels so good to say I don’t need to hustle to be successful.
Simple and well-said, Carol. Thanks, I’ll remember that, “I don’t need to hustle to be successful.”
I know exactly what you’re talking about and it’s been a thorn in my side ever since I started working online. As a writer it’s particularly dangerous and very good a sabotaging one’s confidence! The rabbit hole eats up time and energy and gets in the way of the creative process. Instead of jumping online first thing in the morning to see what I’m missing or what needs to be done to keep the ball rolling for my business, I focus on my offline writing and creating. It’s made an enormous difference in my efficiency and my energy level. Great post!
Dorothy, That’s exactly what I want to do! First thing in the morning is my best time for writing. Right now, I’m typically online doing my social media posting. The most important thing is taking the back seat in my business. Thank you.
There is a downside to everything. Even to hustling. Some words are glorified in our culture, but each person does have their own path. Stay true to your path if you want to be successful and attract the right people into your life.
Exactly right, Christy. Sometimes I get so caught up my own path surpises me a bit!
I’ve experienced a lot of hustle online and now it just turns me off. I always thought I would be missing out if I didn’t sign up right now. Turns out the offer will reappear – either by the same marketer or someone else. Takes the pressure off having to commit on the spot.
I agree, Joyce. It takes some time to realize it, though. Now, if the offer isn’t something I can put to use in the next 48 hours, I bypass it until next time.
Hi Jane,
My mantra for this year boils down to three words: FOCUS, INTENTION, and…HUSTLE.
A lot can happen when we set clear intentions, focus on our priorities, and hustle to set out to accomplish out goals. Well, it works for me.
Thanks, Rachel. From the evidence I see, hustle does work well for some, and it truly does add to their happiness. Best to you for a great year. BTW, my word for this year is “ease.” I guess that goes along with my decision to stop the hustle!
Jane – I know what you’re saying. I’m not a hustler either, but I get at least as much done as most people. I simply know how to pace myself, and allow myself to work at a creative pace. Works for me!
Joan, I’m still experimenting with pacing myself, finding what works best. That and focus.
Excellent points. I know what you mean. The thing about experts is that there is one for each opinion and they all swear theirs is the right one. We definitely need to listen to our gut, our inner guidance system, as you put it, and trust it. BTW, another word that for me has awful connotation is “grind.” I understand it’s one of those hip things to say but I do not want to spend my life grinding.
I’m in total agreement about “grind.” Ugh. I think one of the best and most productive habits I learned this year is to simply act when inspiration hits. I was inclined to save an idea for when I could schedule it and focus. But I learned in the long run it’s twice as hard and time consumiong to do it that way.
Are you talking to me Jane? I totally agree, and from the comments I can see so many others do as well. I only just recently decided to slow down with all the social media, signing up for courses and working incredibly long hours and turn my focus back to local marketing and seeing clients locally/in person. I have immediately felt a release of tension. I don’t HAVE to get that post out, create another freebie offer, put together another online group… you get it. I’m not saying I will not be doing any of that, but my priorities are straight now; I don’t have to hustle but rather listen to my intuition about what is right for my business and my lifestyle.
Exactly Lisa. And for me, I still get it done, but I actually enjoy doing it.
Agree with Kristen here, hustling can be different for each of us, and it depends in what way you apply it. However, of course a bit of hustling I do not think is bad, but then of course we each do what we are most comfortable with, whether that being keeping a lower and more calm pace, or pushing a bit harder. 🙂
I agree, Katerina. It’s pretty much up to what works best for the individual. I know that I sometimes can get a bit off course if I pay more attention to outside input than to my own intuitive knowing. It’s a fine line we walk every day because we do need the knowledge and input of others at times in order to do well in our business and in serving others.
Hi Jane,
Although my business is still new, I refuse to hustle! When I feel like I am about to start forcing situations, I take a step back and relax. I will either meditate, walk out in the nature or be creative. Then when I relax, I ask myself “Why the hustle?” and I usually get the answer.
I have noticed that this is the most important part. I need to know why I felt like hustling and what triggered it. This will prevent me from acting like that next time. I really love your post, wise words!
Zaria
Zaria,
Thank you for visiting and for your comment. I really like the idea of stopping and identifying what triggers the hustle. I’m similar to you in that I instinctively question why it doesn’t feel right for me to do.