The Hustle is Bulls**t – Work Smart, not Hard

I’m gonna say something really controversial in the entrepreneurial world.

The hustle is bullshit.

There’s a cult mentality around owning your own business. In order to be in this cult, you have to make the hustle the centre of your life. You have to get up everyday with your business at the top of your mind, work long hours, and push yourself to the brink. Hustle, hustle, hustle.

That’s the only way to achieve your goals right? RIGHT?!

Wrong.

I’m giving that whole mentality a hard pass.

Ask yourself why you started your own business in the first place? Chances are it was to do something you love, escape the demands of being an employee, and have more time for family and friends.

WHAT HAPPENED? Somewhere along our journey to being our own boss we lost the plot.

Being an entrepreneur isn’t about working so hard on our dreams that we drive ourselves crazy. It’s about living the dream that we had in mind when we decided to embark on this lovely adventure.

You don’t get a prize for being a workaholic. Just elevated stress levels and poor sleep habits.

I’m not advocating becoming complacent and lazy. Quite the opposite. I’m advocating for working SMART.  Just “working hard” means long hours, too much caffeine, and forgoing a lot of the things you love. Yes, you may be hella productive, but at what cost?

“Working smart” means setting realistic goals, avoiding distraction, focusing on what’s important, and most importantly, giving yourself the time and space to simply live your life. Taking time for yourself to do the things you enjoy will not only give you joy, but it will leave you refreshed and inspired to pursue your goals more efficiently and effectively.

There no sense spinning your wheels just to make you feel like you’re doing something.

Working smart also means knowing what your limits are. When I hear about another wedding photographer shooting 50 wedding a year I say, “hell to the no.” That may work great for them, but that’s more than I’m willing to do. I like baking, lazy Sundays, and snuggling with my dog too much.

Everyone’s limits are different, and don’t compare yourself to others in your field. Do what feels rights for YOU.

Success, in my books, is not defined by making as much money as you humanly can, or getting on the top 40 under 40 list. I like money and accolades as much as the next gal, but it’s not worth it if your quality of life is suffering. True success is finding balance.

I think we all need a little less hustle and a little more chill. Work smart, not hard. And remember why you started down this road in the first place.

What’s your definition os success?