The idea of hustling and grinding has become quite popular.
This is especially true of western cultures, such as the United States.
We pride ourselves on working hard.
Late work hours.
Endless studying.
Crushing workouts.
Always going all in.
Always sacrificing.
Always busy.
Obviously, there’s benefit to hard work.
Not much, if anything, of worth in life comes without effort.
However, we often overlook the cost that comes with hard work.
Time in the gym is time not enjoying our hobbies.
Time at the office is time not with family or friends.
Time studying is time not recharging from life’s other stressors.
Of course, some of us have no problem sinking “more” into a particular effort.
We have our eyes on the prize.
We’re passionate about it.
We’re driven.
Yet, many of us end up out of alignment with our best lives.
Because we feel like we need to.
Like it’s what we “should” do.
So we do go harder, all too well.
Realizing, years or decades later, that we’ve lost sight of what matters most to us.
We’ve overextended ourselves.
We’re out of balance.
Not living according to our truth.
You could study an hour longer.
You could work later into the evening.
You could train one more day this week.
There will always be more you could do.
But doing so comes at a cost.
The expense of other things that fill your cup.
Only you can decide what's right for you.
What do you truly value?
What brings you deep satisfaction?
What kind of life do you want to live?
Are your time and energy allocated accordingly?
It’s up to you what you do with your short time on this rock.
Don’t beat yourself up for not going as hard as you think you “should”.
You owe nothing to anybody but yourself.
You’ve got one life to live.
Make it yours.
You’ve got this.
