When you think about your Business, does the word hustle come to mind? The idea that you’re “hustling” in your business?

Hustle usually means that you’re going full force, non-stop.

To a lot of us this seems great. It seems like we’re doing what we’re supposed to do. Building a business means that you can’t be stationary. There’s this belief that if you are stationary, then you’re being lazy or you’re not serious about your goals or your businesses.

I used to think like this too. But not anymore.

I had to re-think the hustle. Not that I don’t believe in the need for us as business owners to do the work. Of course I do.

But business doesn’t have to mean non-stop motion. It doesn’t have to mean the total draining of energy, the complete lack of sleep, or the constant networking.

It doesn’t have to be a “hustle”.

Instead of hustle, maybe think about Progress.

Progress comes in a lot of different forms. Progress appears when you learn a new skill, read a book that inspires you, meet even one new person, or come up with fresh ideas.

Progress also comes in the form of recuperation, rest, rejuvenation, clearing your mind, changing direction, appreciating life, acknowledging the passing of time, remembering what’s most important in life, and making decisions that ultimately make you happy.

I mean, honestly, we can all only do so much.

And when we continue to pressure ourselves into believing that if we’re not completely exhausted, if we are not neglecting our personal life, if we’re not jumping from one thing to the next without any time to recharge, then we’re not moving forward, I think we’re headed backwards.

It’s tempting to zero in on this version of hustle, the more traditional one that’s often referenced by certain business moguls, where you’re talking fast and moving faster; you’re wheeling and dealing and moving and shaking.

But if your happiness lies in a slower pace, you don’t have to feel as though you’re not making progress towards your goals.

You know if you’re moving forward or not. You know if you’re actually building your business or if you’re making excuses and not progressing.

Decide on your own measuring stick for growth.

Lots of love and encouragement,