Hustle. This word keeps on popping up in my mind lately. I notice it in people. I see its results in the businesses around me. I feel the combination of exhaustion and excitement it creates in people when I meet with them. Hustle is what separates those who ridiculously overshoot their goals from those who sorta-kinda-get-close-maybe-they’ll-try-next-year.

I’ve had the privilege of interviewing incredibly dynamic business women on the Business Women Rock! podcast and one common theme in their stories is that they all had an abundance of HUSTLE in them.

They were willing to sacrifice and push and make their businesses – and themselves – grow.

Hustle isn’t just about working more hours (although that’s usually a part of the equation).  And it’s not just about producing more money (although that usually comes). And it’s not even being so tunnel-vision-focused that you can’t stop to smell the roses.

Hustle is an attitude that exists when you dig in deep with your eyes focused on your goal and you see no other option than to succeed. 

Take Nicole Levine, for example.  She moved to the US from Israel when she was 18 years old and started her own cleaning business. I smiled when she told me about “stalking” the people in her neighborhood with the “fancy schmancy” houses and convinced them they just had to hire her to clean their houses (even though she was 10 times more expensive) because she was be the BEST cleaner they would ever have!  Thirty years later, that attitude still exists as she runs 5 different companies! (Listen to her interview HERE!)

Hustle is the crucial ingredient every business must have in order to succeed.

WHAT DOES YOUR HUSTLE LOOK LIKE?
(Leave a comment below!)

Maybe it’s the stomachache you get because the writing and editing and re-writing of your book is physically jarring. Maybe it’s the dark circles under your eyes from a sleepless night spent on a project. Maybe it’s the determination to approach someone who seems completely out of your league. Maybe it’s the creative weaving of services so you can acquire a client.

Whatever it is, I applaud you for your hustle.  Because when you got it…the world is your oyster and nothing can stop you!