…and Other Truths for the Tired, Burnt-Out, Overwhelmed Business Owner
by Kristi Brown | Featured Contributor
Most business owners I know have been in a hurry for a decade.
But the truth is that hustling makes you tired, not rich.
You know what I’m talking about: when your mind has to work seven steps ahead, instead of just being where you are, because this client needs you RIGHT NOW, or that deadline’s coming and the laundry has to get done before that trip because you can’t forget to pack snow pants for school, and you need to beg for more time on this one big project. Again.
You have to pick the kids up at 2:00, and that gives you just enough time to squeeze in that call to your biggest client as you’re driving to get them and balancing a coffee and some semblance of lunch on your knees, all while trying to take notes. You’re on the phone while you prep veggies for dinner, and you’re writing that proposal at midnight when the house is finally quiet.
Aren’t you tired of that?
Tired of the frantic? Tired of the hurrying? Just freaking tired?
I know, I know… there are all these people, gurus even, out there telling you that you need to WANT success more than oxygen (which I mean, seriously, breathing is pretty up there on the list of important things!), that you must sacrifice sleep for success, and that everything other than your business should be crumbling in order to actually ever be successful.
Does owning, growing, or building a business take time, energy, money, and focus? Of course.
Will you have moments when you are working until 2 a.m. because you just have to finish this one last thing? Yep.
Am I saying, “Start a business, set an intention, and then sit on the couch and you will get a million dollars while you binge-watch Orange is the New Black on Netflix?”
BUT… that day-to-day feeling of being overwhelmed, that feeling that you must sacrifice sleep, your health, every relationship, and ever seeing the outdoors again, all for success?
That is a bunch of garbage.
Here are 3 things you can do right now to end this endless cycle of hustle:
1.) Hire an assistant already.
I know many business owners who are doing well, but they can barely find five minutes for a call to their very patient mother because they believe they must do ALL THE THINGS.
But when you outsource work to others, you are able to do what you do best more often.
I’ve read interviews from hundreds of highly successful people, including billionaires, famous entrepreneurs, and business people, and I’ve reached a conclusion: people who actively look for tasks to delegate often report higher levels of productivity, happiness, and energy, and they’re less likely to feel overworked and overwhelmed.
Now, what could you do with that additional time, creativity, and energy? You could scale your business. You could work on that passion project. Maybe you could go on a date with your significant other.
Or you could take a nap. On the beach. With a mimosa.
All of those choices sound better than working for 3 hours to figure out a program that an assistant could get working in 7.5 minutes, right?
If you find yourself overwhelmed in the online world, hire an expert. Here is a free guide on the questions to ask before you hire a marketing agency that can be applied to almost anything you need to delegate!
You will be amazed at what taking small steps to outsourcing can do for your business.
2.) Quit working for free.
Let’s be honest, people don’t value free stuff. Don’t give “bro rates” and expect to be valued.
Your work is amazing.
It should be treated like it is amazing.
3.) Know what It is for You.
Champions of the hustle love to point to “It” as the reason for why someone should hustle.
Do you have what It takes? It takes hustle to get there.
Okay, but what for the love of all that is holy is ‘It?’
I believe that, It should be your own personal vision: what you want to achieve in your business or life. What does success look like to you? THAT is your It.
But does It really take day-after-unsustainable-day of backbreaking work to achieve?
For example, my It is:
Loving my clients and my work, being challenged by it all, and learning and growing every day.
My It is being able to travel, see the world, and experience different cultures.
It means being able to live close enough to a beach that I can go whenever I choose.
It means having good friends and family close by and in great health.
Do I also want to have a thriving business? Yes.
Do I want to speak on a stage and be able to share my ideas and trainings with the world? Yes. But those are the side effects of getting to my actual It.
There you have it, 3 ways that you can stop hustling and find success while also being anti-frantic. Which one speaks to you the most?
Tell us about your It in the comments section below!
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Kristi Brown, Small Business Growth Strategist and Co-Founder of Significantly Successful.
Social Media Aficionado. Fluent in #Hashtag. Netflix Junkie. Red Wine & Chocolate Connoisseur. Master of assuring client delight.
Connect with Kristi:
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Kristi Brown, Small BBalcony Coral Kristi- editiedusiness Growth Strategist and Co-Founder of Significantly Successful.
Social Media Aficionado. Fluent in #Hashtag. Netflix Junkie. Red Wine & Chocolate Connoisseur. Master of assuring client delight.
2 Replies to “Why Hustling Sucks… by @SigSuccessful”
Kristi R Brown
Thank You! We work with business owners all the time that are just tired. And then they watch people online… people with FULL TEAMS of people tell them to decide if they want to sleep or they want to be successful… makes me want to scream. BOTH always both. You aren’t going to be successful in your relationships or health if you are running that ragged!
I appreciate your support 🙂
~ Kristi
One More Woman
Love this post! These are great tips to prevent being totally overbooked, and also just keeping your sanity, which is essential for success. Thank you for this inspiration, we wholeheartedly support your mission. Looking forward to future posts!
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