In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, the concept of growth often gets tangled with the idea of increased stress and relentless hard work. But what if the secret to expanding your business lies in doing less rather than more? What if we challenge the traditional notions of productivity? This blog post explores these unconventional ideas, emphasising how authenticity and a simple, guiding mantra can transform the way you approach business growth.
The Myth of Constant Activity
We’re often led to believe that being perpetually busy and overworked is a badge of honour. There’s an old saying that perfectly encapsulates a different perspective: “You should meditate for 20 minutes per day, unless you’re too busy, then you should meditate for an hour.” This paradoxical wisdom suggests that slowing down, especially when we feel overwhelmed, might be exactly what we need.
A Different Kind of Productivity Hack
What if the ultimate productivity hack was, in fact, to slow down? This idea was introduced to me by a coach named Kyle, who profoundly changed my outlook with a simple concept: “Your life is determined by the algorithm which writes it.” He explained that our lives are shaped more by small, daily decisions than by a few monumental ones. Understanding and embracing the underlying principle behind your life’s algorithm can set the stage for a more harmonious and less stressful journey.
My Life’s Mantra: A Guiding Principle
I adopted a straightforward mantra that day: “If it doesn’t inspire me, I’m not going to do it.” While this principle should be applied sensibly—obligations like paying bills and caring for family are non-negotiable—it serves as a guiding light for making decisions that align with our true selves. This mantra encourages us to choose paths that energise and inspire us, leading to a form of success that feels effortless and fulfilling.
Addressing Potential Challenges
It’s important to acknowledge that not every aspect of running a business or life will always align perfectly with what inspires us. For instance, administrative tasks or routine responsibilities may not be inherently inspiring but are necessary for success and stability. The key is to find balance and integrate our inspirational activities with our obligations. This can mean delegating tasks that don’t align with your passions or finding ways to infuse inspiration into necessary routines.
Implementing the Philosophy
To integrate this philosophy into your life, start small. Begin each day with a brief reflection on what inspires you and align at least one task of your day with this inspiration. Gradually, try to make more decisions based on what truly motivates and energises you. This shift may not happen overnight, but over time, you’ll likely find a more harmonious and fulfilling approach to business and life.
Redefining Effort and Success
The main takeaway from this post is a crucial reminder: the effort it took to reach your current position does not dictate that more effort is the key to further success. In fact, relentlessly pushing yourself might jeopardise the very essence that has brought you this far. By staying light, energised, and creative, you allow a natural momentum to guide you to the next level of your journey.
In conclusion, growing your business doesn’t have to be synonymous with increased stress. By reevaluating our approach to productivity and staying true to what genuinely inspires us, we can foster growth in a way that’s both sustainable and enjoyable. Remember, sometimes doing less can indeed be more.
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