Hustle culture is everywhere these days. The media seems to constantly put out the image that success is all about the constant and continuous battle to make lots of money. As an entrepreneur, I too have experienced the allure of rapid growth and the pressure to push boundaries. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying working hard is bad, all I’m asking is at what cost? Many people believe that getting X amount of money will make them happier but when they actually get it they don’t feel happy. I think this happens mostly because it’s not really money that makes us happy but the ‘feelings’ we can get when we have it.
Let me tell you a story. A man was slaving away to buy a beautiful house so that he and his family would no longer have to deal with the hardships of the tiny apartment you lived in. This is a good thing but his slaving made him work very long hours thereby making his wife and kids feel neglected. His wife filed for divorce after many years and even though he finally bought the big house the kids chose to stay with their mother in the little apartment. So there he was with a big house, lots of money but unhappy.
For sometime now, I found myself caught in the rat-hole of scaling my business at any cost. I was working long hours, constantly stressed, and neglecting my well-being. I have scoliosis (a curved spine) so the constant grind made my condition worse. It was really funny because working harder was making me more money just to pay bigger medical bills? With inflation at its peak it kept reminding me that no success is worth sacrificing my physical health.
The process and pace of making money is very important. Perhaps more important than we think. It reminds me of what Steve Jobs used to say, “the journey is the reward,”. As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up in the never-ending pursuit of growth and scaling the business. But I have come to understand that the true measure of success lies in being there for my loved ones, creating memories, and fostering meaningful connections. I want to be present for my children’s milestones, the annoying day-to-day activities, and for the simple moments that make life beautiful. By choosing organic growth, I can strike a balance that allows me to be there for my family and at the same time growing my business, slowly.
By growing my business at my own pace, it allows me to adapt, learn, and refine my strategies. It also enables me to cultivate a business that is built on a solid foundation, ensuring long-term success and fulfilment. In a world driven by instant gratification and relentless pursuit of growth, I have chosen a different path. If you know me personally this will not come as a surprise because I love to do this differently a lot of the time. To anyone who is feeling pressured to slave away at the cost of enjoying what they are doing, maybe it’s time to do things differently. The rewards in life are amazing but don’t forget that the journey in itself is also a reward.
