The majority of your daily tasks are not worth obsessing over. Prioritize where to focus your effort, and if you're doing something big, don't worry about getting it exactly right the first time.
For years, I carried a toxic mindset that held me back from competing at the highest level in business. I thought that if I was just working harder, longer hours, and pushing myself beyond my limits, I'd eventually outperform my competition. But this mindset almost destroyed me — both mentally and physically. It took a pivotal moment in my career to realize that I needed to make a radical shift if I wanted to succeed, especially when going up against giants like Google.
At the time, I was an entrepreneur trying to carve my own space in the tech industry. I had grand visions of scaling my business to compete with major players in the market. But, like many entrepreneurs, I was focused on constantly hustling. I believed that the harder I worked, the more I’d achieve. I’d work late into the night, check emails every hour, and push myself to my physical and mental breaking point. But despite all this effort, I wasn’t seeing the results I expected.
The turning point came when I realized that this toxic mindset wasn’t making me more productive. In fact, it was making me more reactive and burned out. I was so caught up in working harder that I neglected to work smarter. I spent more time battling exhaustion and stress than actually making significant strides toward my goals.
The big realization came when I started studying successful tech leaders and their approaches to work. I noticed that they weren’t just focused on endless work; they were also focused on efficiency, health, and mental clarity. They didn’t rely solely on the grind — they recognized the importance of rest, reflection, and strategic thinking. Leaders like Tim Cook, who prioritize their health and make time for exercise and mental recovery, were proving that success wasn’t just about the hustle. It was about a balanced approach to performance.
So, I made the decision to ditch the toxic mindset of constant hustle and replace it with a focus on productivity, balance, and creativity. Instead of thinking that I had to be working all the time, I realized that stepping back and giving myself space to think and recharge was just as important — if not more. I began prioritizing my physical and mental health. I started to focus on meaningful work, not just busy work. I also gave myself permission to rest and take breaks without guilt.
This shift didn’t happen overnight, but it made a world of difference. I began to experience more clarity, better decision-making, and a renewed sense of energy. As a result, my business started to grow in ways I never imagined. I was able to innovate, solve problems more efficiently, and build a strong company culture that valued both performance and well-being.
When I shifted my focus from grinding non-stop to being intentional with my time and energy, I realized something important: Competing with the giants like Google wasn’t about outworking them; it was about outsmarting them. I could innovate and succeed without burning out. By embracing balance, I became a more effective leader and a better business owner.
If you’re struggling with a similar mindset, I encourage you to make that shift, too. It’s not about working harder; it’s about working smarter, preserving your energy, and making decisions from a place of clarity. Once you do that, you’ll be amazed at the results — and you might just find yourself competing with the big players, too.
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