Welcome to another exciting episode of Women Powering E-Commerce. I'm here to share my journey as a female e-commerce entrepreneur with you. Today, I want to talk about something that has been on my mind lately - the delicate balance between the four-hour workweek philosophy and the hustle culture.
Recently, I've been pondering the question of how to strike a balance between two extremes - the "four-hour workweek" concept and the relentless hustle culture that seems to demand every ounce of our energy.
As an entrepreneur, I've had my share of experiences with both ends of the spectrum. I've seen the advantages and drawbacks of each approach, which has led me to question whether there's a middle ground that can offer the best of both worlds.
Let's take a trip back to 2013 when I was juggling two jobs while attempting to grow my e-commerce business on the side. I can't give you an exact count of the hours I was putting in, but I can tell you one thing - my social life was practically non-existent. My daily routine consisted of working, eating, and sleeping.
I was sacrificing my present quality of life with the hope of reaping the benefits later. Back then, I didn't mind it. I found it challenging, and I was fueled by the belief that better days were on the horizon.
Growing up, I was taught that being busy equated to being valuable. Being occupied, and working tirelessly - were qualities I admired. The effort was held in higher regard than the outcomes it produced.
Today, my perspective has evolved. I've come to realize that constantly striving to be busy can have its downsides. It led to pressure, and high standards, and eventually, it caught up with me.
The hustle culture, which glorifies working until you drop, took a toll on me. It pushed me towards burnout, fatigue, and the perpetual feeling of not measuring up. One day, I realized that I had pushed myself too hard. I was fortunate to have the wisdom to step back before it was too late.
That's when I discovered "The Four-Hour Workweek" book, which opened my eyes to a different approach to success. I learned that you didn't need to work yourself to exhaustion to achieve your goals. This book, among others, emphasized the idea that working less can lead to greater success.
This realization was a turning point for me. I saw the potential for freedom and growth, even though I knew it would take time to achieve it.
With this newfound wisdom, I set out to integrate the principles of the four-hour workweek into my e-commerce business, even while working two other jobs on the side. As time passed, we expanded our team, and I learned the power of delegation. Delegating tasks became a key factor in embracing the four-hour workweek concept.
I gradually transitioned to working part-time in my e-commerce business. And not too long ago, my husband and I enjoyed a month-long vacation, confident that our businesses could operate smoothly with minimal attention.
However, my perspective on the four-hour workweek is evolving. I still love the concept, but I don't work merely four hours a week. I believe in the philosophy that you don't need to work 40, 80 hours a week to make something great out of your life. Right now, I'm working full-time running two businesses, but it's a different kind of full-time. I'm working because I want to, not because I have to.
Nevertheless, I've discovered a gap in this concept. Perhaps I haven't fully mastered it yet, or maybe there's more to learn. My journey continues, and I'm sharing these reflections to keep you in the loop.
I've come to realize that neither extreme - the four-hour workweek nor non-stop hustle - is sustainable. Finding balance is crucial. It's about setting boundaries, learning to say no, prioritizing tasks, and making time for self-care. Flexibility is key. There are times to hustle and times to rest.
Another valuable lesson I've learned is that success is a personal journey. It's essential to measure your success according to your own metrics, not by comparing yourself to others. Everyone is in a unique position, aspiring to different things, and we must remember that.
Lastly, I've realized the importance of staying connected to your "why." Remember why you started your e-commerce business or any project. Your mission and values should guide your decisions and actions.
As I wrap up this episode, it's clear that finding the right balance is an ongoing journey. I hope my reflections on the four-hour workweek and hustle culture provide you with valuable insights and inspiration.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe to the podcast, and join me in the next episode as we delve deeper into the world of e-commerce.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Together, we'll keep growing, taking action, and pursuing our goals. Don't forget to follow me on social media and subscribe to our podcast for notifications of new episodes. Until next time!