When you think about your business, does the word hustle come to mind? The idea that you’re “hustling” in your business?
Hustle usually means that you’re going full force, non-stop.
To a lot of us this seems great. It seems like we’re doing what we’re supposed to do. Building a business means that you can’t be stationary. There’s this belief that if you are stationary, then you’re being lazy or you’re not serious about your goals or your businesses.
I used to think like this too. But not anymore.
I had to re-think the hustle. Not that I don’t believe in the need for us as business owners to do the work. Of course I do.
But business doesn’t have to mean non-stop motion. It doesn’t have to mean the total draining of energy, the complete lack of sleep, or the constant networking.
It doesn’t have to be a “hustle”.
Instead of hustle, maybe think about progress.
Progress comes in a lot of different forms. Progress appears when you learn a new skill, read a book that inspires you, meet even one new person, or come up with fresh ideas.
Progress also comes in the form of recuperation, rest, rejuvenation, clearing your mind, changing direction, appreciating life, acknowledging the passing of time, remembering what’s most important in life, and making decisions that ultimately make you happy.
I mean, honestly, we can all only do so much.
And when we continue to pressure ourselves into believing that if we’re not completely exhausted, if we are not neglecting our personal life, if we’re not jumping from one thing to the next without any time to recharge, then we’re not moving forward, I think we’re headed backwards.
It’s tempting to zero in on this version of hustle, the more traditional one that’s often referenced by certain business moguls, where you’re talking fast and moving faster; you’re wheeling and dealing and moving and shaking.
But if your happiness lies in a slower pace, you don’t have to feel as though you’re not making progress towards your goals.
You know if you’re moving forward or not. You know if you’re actually building your business or if you’re making excuses and not progressing.
Decide on your own measuring stick for growth.
Lots of love and encouragement,
Dinorah
It’s a brilliant and healthy way to define a new and invigorating way to hustle.Love your article.
Vanessa
So applicable right now!! Love the “measure of success based on truth”
xo,
Vanessa
Nicole Giordano
Happy to hear that, Vanessa!
Oreka
Thank you so much for this Nicole. I feel better now about not “hustling” enough according to the general perception. I would rather expend my energy on profitable stuff like reading, strategy and more planning/implementing. You’re the best!
Nicole Giordano
You’re welcome, Oreka! I’m so glad you found it helpful. 🙂 While there’s certainly value in being social and getting out there, it’s not the only way to hustle. Personally, I find healthy balance of being social and private reading/reflection/education to be the best possible hustle for my business.
Holly Henderson
Great reflection, Nicole! It’s important to slow down a bit and may have to take a step backwards in order to see how to grow and move forward.
Nicole Giordano
Thanks Holly! Slowing down tends to have such a stigma attached to it, which is really too bad. Slowness and reflection helps us to realize how much we’ve already accomplished and how excited we are for what’s to come. 🙂
Miranda Chanry
Nicole, this was a great article. What you said is so true. Sometimes we get caught up in seeing what other people are doing and thinking that they’re making more progress than we are. We should never compare ourselves to others as our journey in life is different than theirs. I love all of your articles and post, so continue writing because their very helpful.
Nicole Giordano
Thank Miranda! I’m so glad you find them helpful. I love writing them and will continue to do so!
Lily B
“You can create your own form of hustling where you measure your success based on truth.” – Well said Nicole!
I think it’s important for everyone to find their own optimal way of working and not feel pressured into looking like what others say they should look like.
It’s your business, do it your way 😉
Nicole Giordano
Exactly, Lily! I truly believe that we all know ourselves well enough to know when we’re working to our full potential. There’s no reason to worry about whether others think we’re hustling based on their notions of what hustling is. 🙂