“You know what is hitting me in the face right now?” I stared at my guest with wide eyes.

“That when we are able to know our seasons and cycles and match those up with our business activities, then all of a sudden, we can grant ourselves so much grace and compassion for not always running at 1000%!”

This was my ah-ha moment during yesterday’s Master Class in the Biz Women Rock Academy (http://bizwomenrockacademy.com).

I was interviewing Pleasance Siliki (http://lilomm.com) who was teaching about how we can optimize our businesses when we know our cycles (when our energy is ideal for running, for resting, for creativity, for being social, for being solitary, etc).  It sounds woo-woo, but it was incredibly practical.  

“Yes!” she lit up.  “Because you trust your own natural ebb and flow.”

The comments poured in from the Academy members…

Oh lord, yes!!!

I’ve needed this message today!

Whoa, my mind just blew up!

That’s me!

So needed to hear this today!

And it occurred to me – not for the first time – that this “hustle” mentality just plain ol’ sucks.  

(I’ll speak for myself, and if you feel like raising your hand in agreement, go for it).  

When I’m in the “hustle” mentality, when I’m gunning it hard, I inherit a tremendous amount of anxiety.  I start comparing my “success” to others.  Worse, I compare myself to who I know I could be – should be.  I start looking at the deficit of where I am vs. where I want to be and judging that gap.  I start attacking my to-do list with ego rather than with joy.  I get attached to the outcomes I want rather than enjoying what I’m doing.  

It’s a damn crazy train!

(umm…did you raise your hand or am I all alone on this?) 😉

So as I listened to Pleasance and got that self-compassion is a beautiful byproduct of living in flow with the rhythms of nature, it floored me.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO HUSTLE.  

You just have to listen to YOU, trust YOU and keep showing up as YOU.

Stop watching Gary Vaynerchuck (whose core message I love minus the hustle part).

Stop watching that other person in your industry who is “killing it.”

Tell that crazy lady inside of your head to trust her rhythm.

And do whatever you can to insert more JOY into your day today.

More joy.  Less hustle.

I love you,

Katie

PS: If you would like to get access to the entire Master Class with Pleasance, along with weekly events that are created just for the members of the Biz Women Rock Academy, then become a member today!  It’s just $37/mo and the combination of customized education and support you get from me and your fellow members will blow your mind  🙂  Click HERE to join!