Finding the Sweet Spot Between Ambition and Alignment
Have you ever come home after a long day at work, sat down to relax, then a sudden wave of guilt washes over your entire body? Always feeling like we should do more is super common in today’s hustle culture society. In today’s fast-paced world, we’re constantly being told to either grind harder or slow down and rest. So which is it? Should we hustle more or prioritize rest? This post will help you reflect on your own habits and create a lifestyle that aligns with your goals and your well-being.
The Case for Hustling
Hustling is celebrated constantly. Society rewards us when we achieve our goals, whether that be personal or career-related. When we are productive and ambitious, it helps us push that bit further to achieve our goals. This is great when building a business, chasing dreams, or hitting a specific goal. When you have a specific goal in mind, turning on hustle mode to get that goal done can help smash it out in the short term. But trying to hustle full-time for longer periods isn’t healthy and can lead to burnout, which ultimately leaves you less productive than if you had just worked at a much less intense rate.
Hustling also needs to have a reason and a goal in mind, or else you can be working incredibly hard but not actually achieving anything. Ask yourself, Am I hustling toward something meaningful—or just staying busy?
The Power of Rest
Rest and relaxation are also constantly being promoted to us. Taking time to rest isn’t being lazy. By taking time out to recover, we can recharge our batteries, making us more creative and productive when we do make time for tasks. Our mental health also greatly improves by taking time to rest. If you’re constantly feeling tired or have a lack of motivation, this could be a sign you’re due for a break.
What Balance Really Looks Like
Finding the right balance between hustling hard and resting is possible—and it looks different for everyone. Each season of your life requires time and energy on different aspects. It’s not just 50/50 every day. Some weeks will require more hustle and time to grind on those goals, while other weeks may require more rest.
Listen to your body and be flexible with how you spend your energy. Figuring out your own energy flow as it fluctuates can also improve your productivity. Fit tasks into your schedule according to your flow (morning vs evening, workweek vs weekend).
How to Create a Life That Has Both
1. Schedule Rest Like a Task
Set aside time for real rest. Just like you time block your calendar for work, add in breaks and time for yourself. Make sure you allow enough time in your days to get 8 hours of sleep! Try adding digital detoxes to allow your brain to rest. Experiment with slow mornings—this could include nature walks and journaling. Don’t be afraid to take naps during the day if needed.
2. Use Intentional To-Do Lists
Being intentional about what you want to achieve each day helps you stay focused and actually make progress on your to-do lists. Focus on just 3 key tasks per day instead of overwhelming yourself with an endless list. By prioritizing these tasks, you’re more likely to actually get them done.
3. Adopt a Seasonal Mindset
Hustling hard non-stop will leave you with nothing but burnout. Hard work and focus on a project can help move it along, but planning in downtime after a period of hard work allows you to reset for your next big task. This is just like professional athletes at the end of the season—taking time to recover before coming back bigger and better than ever.
4. Listen to Your Body and Mind
Sometimes our bodies have different plans than our minds. Energy levels can be affected by so many different things. Listen to your body and don’t be afraid to tweak your schedule to allow yourself more time to rest than initially planned. Pushing your body and mind too far leaves you feeling worse, and your results will take much longer to achieve.
5. Redefine Success
Success is different for everyone. Evaluate where you are going and how you feel. Success isn’t just about achievements. Taking time to reflect on what your true self wants helps you connect deeper with yourself.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to whether you should hustle more or prioritize rest. Some seasons of life call for more hustle, while others require rest. The key is knowing yourself—your rhythm, your priorities, and what brings you joy and peace.
You don’t need to burn out to succeed in life, and you don’t have to quit everything you’re doing in order to rest. You just need to give yourself permission to create a life that supports both your ambition and alignment. Listen to your body and flow with the seasons of life.