How Do We Free Ourselves from the Hustle?
The hustle is encouraged. You are told to do more. And more. And more. This was a problem before everything shut down for the pandemic and it’s even more so now.
During the pandemic you had to take on even more roles at home and at work. The struggle was very real. You didn’t know how long you could keep on going at that pace. Something had to give. While most things have some semblance of how they were pre-pandemic, you still have more on your plate now than before the crisis began. Doing even more than you thought you could became your new normal.
Stop Trying to Do it All
Except there is nothing normal about doing more than you can handle. It is stressful and impacts everything in your life in a not so good way.
Is Bringing Work Home the New Normal?
One of the biggest problems from the pandemic is that your work and personal life lines blurred. While it seems great to be at home and not have to commute or dress to leave the house, you found yourself working more. It was easier to check emails more often, to work longer to get something done since you didn’t have to spend time driving, and you’re just more available since you didn’t have your work environment to signal you are at work. If you had kids at home, you found yourself adjusting your work schedule to support their school at home and that led you to some crazy work hours that are not sustainable.
Working from home is still looking like it is a new normal and it’s important to create some separation from your work in a way you haven’t had to do before.
The Hustle is Not Sustainable
The hustle is not sustainable, it is something that you can do in the short term. No one can do it all and not burn out or drop the ball often. It’s time to stop trying to do it all.
How to STOP Trying to Do it All: 5 Practices
1. Evaluate your Roles
The first thing to do is look at your life and see what roles you are still doing from the lockdowns that you no longer have to do. Sometimes we keep doing something out of habit, even if we no longer have to do it. Check and see what you can take off your plate. Who else can support you? What are the things you do not want to do anymore that someone else can do? Act like a CEO and only do the roles you have to do and want to do.
2. Create Boundaries
Create boundaries around your work time. Strong boundaries. If you need to get a separate cell phone from your work phone so you stop taking calls at all hours, do it. If you need a separate computer so you stop checking out chats and emails in your personal time, do it. Or if you have to put your work into a room with a door you can close and only open during business hours, do it. You are not a machine. You cannot work all the time. When it’s your personal time, do things that bring you joy, peace and balance – no work – at all. Have a strong boundary and stick with it, you will be happy you did.
3. Say, “No”
By taking on more tasks and activities than you can really do in a day, the person you hurt the most is yourself. Instead of just saying yes and doing what others ask of you, stop and ask yourself what you won’t have time to do because you took this on. Usually you lose sleep or fun things you really want to do.
Stop saying yes all the time without thinking and instead start saying, “No.” You don’t have to make up an excuse. You can simply say no and if necessary be honest about why you can’t take this on. People are understanding and if they aren’t, that’s more about them than it is about you. “No” allows you to stand in your power and do what is best for you. If you aren’t doing it for yourself, no one else can do it for you.
4. Have a Solid Daily Routine
The best way to keep yourself in balance is to create a solid routine that supports you. You can start your day with a quick and powerful meditation before you even get out of bed. Don’t check your phone, emails, or news until after you have gotten dressed (to leave the house), had breakfast and feel good about your day’s plan.
Work your normal work hours and take breaks and eat lunch without working through it. Stop over scheduling your work day. Plan in breaks and gaps for those last minute emergencies.
Get in a walk, yoga, exercise at a time that works for your body each day. Get enough sleep and eat foods that support you at scheduled times throughout the day. By creating a solid routine, you won’t have to think about what you have to do that day. You will have a plan in place that supports you.
5. Make Self-Care a Priority
When you are overwhelmed and exhausted the idea of self-care is not a possibility. You don’t have the time. You don’t have the energy. Yet this is exactly what you need more of – activities that breathe more life into you. On the airplane, they tell you to put your oxygen mask on before you help others. It’s the same here. The better place you are in mentally, physically, emotionally and energetically, the happier you will be.
Self-care can be simple like standing outside for a minute, taking a deep breath or getting enough sleep. It can be more complex like having a spa day, going on a hike, scheduling a vacation. The more self-care you can schedule in, the better you will feel. You are worthy. You are enough. Make yourself a priority and not an afterthought.
Create A Life You Love
You are actively creating your life in every moment. Just make sure you are creating a life you don’t have to escape from because when you do that, there aren’t enough vacations or days off. You are here to live a life you love. While you may have gotten stuck in the hustle and you were doing it all, that is not sustainable. Stop trying to do it all. Instead, what is it time for you to do differently today? Do it.
Lisa Gornall is a Spiritual Medium, Author, Healer and Coach. She was born with her abilities to become one with your energy which allows her to intuitively clear and balance your energy. Lisa gets to the ROOT of your patterns, beliefs and fears that are no longer working. Since 2002, she has combined her intuitive abilities with healing and coaching. Lisa has coached thousands of individuals to heal their relationships, love their life again and get back to the lifestyle they originally envisioned for themselves – a freedom lifestyle. You can find Lisa at www.lisagornall.com