“Feeling the need to hustle and grind comes from a scarcity mentality and a place of fear.”
—Nancy Salmeron
This week has been a busy week for me because I participated in several Zoom meetings to learn about how to “pivot” our businesses during this coronavirus quarantine. The message promoted by business coaches is that we must push sales more than ever. Their advice is, “Sell your program and, if you don’t have one, make one. You have the time. Be more productive. Start a Mastermind class. Learn something new and begin a side hustle!”
These suggestions that entrepreneurs are being told are well-intended. They are meant to address the fear that if entrepreneurs don’t continue with the hustle culture, they will sink. The pressure is on. But my wise voice, the voice of my soul, reminds me to listen and chill.
How are you feeling about this issue? Do you feel that in these unprecedented times you should continue to hustle? Should you take a new course? Learn a new language? Keep busy, busy? These suggestions are very tempting and since you have the time, why not? Yet today, I want to teach you how to let the hustle go on past you. You matter and there is more to our time in this world than always doing. How about taking the time to seek within and reflect on your essence—the true you? Have you wondered that maybe this is the time for you to question if the path that you were on is the path you want to continue with? Maybe, just maybe, we can use the slowdown provided by the universe to self-reflect about whether our lives are working or not. This hustle and grind mentality is not good for the body or the soul. But the world that once glorified this culture refuses to go down gently. Just go on Facebook and see all the videos of people trying to sell you something. I don’t know how successful they are because I have opted out of selling during these very different and difficult times. Call me naïve, but all that I want to do right now is to be a source of optimism and faith. I want to be a cheerleader for those who are stuck in negativity, fear, and darkness. In the Zoom meetings this week, I encouraged other coaches to be the light at the end of the tunnel for everyone and not to put a price point on that or try to sell anything. My message is to simply encourage and show up for potential future clients by being present, listening to their fears, and helping them to eliminate them. I believe that when your intentions are to truly be of service, people will feel it and seek you out when they are ready.
Today, let’s talk about three things you can do to connect with your essence and maybe discover a different path that you want to pursue after this pandemic passes.
Find time during the day to silence the mind by connecting with nature.
To silence the mind, you need to find a space where you can go and stay still. During quarantine, it may be difficult for you to be outside with nature, but if you are able, take the opportunity to sit next to a tree. Feel the grass with your feet. Sit by a pool or birdbath. Nurture a houseplant. Or, at night, look up at the moon. Being in nature can help you put life into perspective and can help you silence the mind. And in these times of the coronavirus, when stress, worry, and anxiety loom, we need to quiet the mind.
Meditation can also help to silence the mind.
If you are unable to leave your home and can’t walk outside during quarantine, meditation is a great way to connect with your essence. Find a quiet room or spot in your home to sit. Be aware of your body and just breathe. When thoughts come in, don’t resist them. Simply observe them, let them go, and focus on your breath again. This is the basic process of meditation. If you wish to implement this life-altering experience in more depth, there is a wealth of information online about meditation, including guided meditations.
Implement being in the present moment.
I have written about staying in the present moment on more than one occasion. My advice is to not get stuck thinking about the past or the future. Stay here in the now. Savor your cup of coffee, slowly and mindfully. When you wash your hands, wash them slowly, and notice the water running down your fingers. Staying in the present moment means savoring and noticing everything without labeling it good or bad.
Let’s face it. The hustle and grind we were living in before the coronavirus was not working. Feeling the need to hustle and grind comes from a scarcity mentality and a place of fear. To give your best, you must rediscover and remember your essence—the true you. The hustle and grind affects your mental health, your performance, and your quality of life. Use this time in quarantine to reconnect with the true you. If you are able, take time for a walk outside, sit by a tree, or put your feet on the grass. Silence the mind by meditating and engaging in the present moment. This world pandemic has reminded us that there is no reason to sacrifice our physical and mental health for success. Take time to remember who you are and where you are going. Until next time, Believe. Change. Become.
www.nancysalmeron.com