Entrepreneurship was never meant to be a frantic race. Whoever came up with this idea of hustling harder, chasing the bag or grinding until you’re completely burnt out got it all wrong. In fact, hustle is often the result of desperation; a reaction to fear, scarcity or trying to force something before it’s ready. For us soul-led women and creative entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship is about something deeper. It’s about building something that reflects who you are, how you live and what truly matters to you. Because if your business doesn’t align with your values success won’t feel like success at all.
Having worked in corporate America and as an entrepreneur – from marketing strategist to behavioral change specialist to running my own business, I’ve learned this truth firsthand: You can’t bring a corporate mindset into entrepreneurship and expect it to work. What builds companies in boardrooms often breaks souls in startups. Real, sustainable entrepreneurship isn’t driven by urgency, it’s rooted in alignment. It’s about building with intention, not hustling until you’re completely burned out. Long-term growth happens when your goals reflect your values, not just your revenue targets.
So after navigating both worlds and currently being the CEO of my own vision, I’ve learned a few things the hard way. If you’re building something that’s yours, not just chasing someone else’s blueprint, here are a few lessons that might save you some time and your peace.
Focus On Your Values, Not Just Your Vision Board
Before you write down a single goal, pause and ask yourself: What do I actually want in this season of my life? Not what looks good online, not what your peers are chasing and not even what you used to want, but ask yourself – what feels aligned, right now? What matters to me more than money? What do I want my business to protect (my time, my health, my creativity, my freedom…) Finally, what kind of impact do I want to have on my clients, family or community? I personally return to these questions often because they help keep me aligned with what I want my life to feel like and not just want I want my business to look like. It helps me stay or get realigned with success and self-care instead of being solely motivated by outcomes. The other thing that helps me stay aligned with my values is actually knowing what my values are. Choose 3-5 core values for your business and every goal should point back to those core values like a compass. Below are some core values. Which ones resonate with you the most?
- Freedom
- Creativity
- Abundance
- Service
- Authenticity
- Honesty
- Passion
- Innovation
- Inclusion
- Trust
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Well-being
- Altruism
- Generosity
- Family
- Personal Growth
- Independence
- Empowerment
Trust Your Gut – Even When the Blueprint Says Otherwise
From unsolicited opinions to articles like this one, you will be bombarded with advice about your business. “Niche down more!” “Launch now!” “You HAVE to do video!” But your intuition? She’s always tuned into your path. If something feels off, too overwhelming or out of alignment, trust that feeling. And…if something lights you up, even if it doesn’t make sense yet, lean in!
Know When to Move and When to Sit Still
You will encounter several seasons as you work to start or build your business and not every season will be for sprinting. Some seasons are for planting, resting, listening and realigning. If you’re feeling burned out, creatively blocked, or constantly second guessing every decision, that might be a sign that it’s time to slow down instead of pushing harder. Aligned action doesn’t always mean more action. Sometimes it means waiting until you feel clarity before taking your next step.
Learn to Pivot With Purpose
You are allowed to evolve, even when it comes to business. What felt right last year may not fit two years from now and it doesn’t make you flaky, it makes you smart. Admitting when something needs to be modified or just isn’t working altogether helps prevent unnecessary burnout and keeps you from pouring energy into strategies that no longer serve your growth or your goals. Give your goals flexibility to shift as you do. Build in regular checkpoints to take honest inventory asking yourself regularly: does this still feel like me? Is this bringing me closer to not only the business that I want, but the life that I want? If the answer is no to either, pivot with purpose.
Set Goals That Measure How It Feels, Not Just What It Achieves
I’m not naive. I know that people start businesses to make money and numbers matter. Revenue, reach and ROI can tell powerful stories. But how you reach your goals matters just as much as what you reach, and that can be a powerful story too. That’s the part that is often overlooked yet it holds the key to whether your success is sustainable or if it slowly burns you out. When you’re building something of your own, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing “the bag” while ignoring your mental, emotional and even physical state. But your business isn’t just a machine producing profit. It’s an extension of you, your values, your energy and your creativity.
This is why it’s helpful to set feeling goals alongside your business goals. Feeling goals help anchor your vision in humanity. They give you permission to slow down when you need to, say no to things that look good on paper but don’t feel good in practice and more importantly, measure success by more than just what your bank account says…because what’s the point of reaching your goals if you’re too exhausted, disconnected , or resentful to actually enjoy the success?