I was busy, but going nowhere—here’s what I did next
Ever feel like you’re hustling harder than anyone else but not actually getting anywhere? Like running a marathon on a treadmill—exhausted, sweating buckets, and still staring at the same damn wall?
Yeah, I’ve been there.
Back when I ran my first business, cleaning gutters, I was the poster child for “work harder, not smarter.” I’d be up at 4 a.m., juggling ladders, knocking on doors, and chasing clients. My to-do list was never-ending. My hustle was unmatched. And yet, my bank account? Let’s just say it didn’t reflect the energy I was pouring into the grind.
I thought I was crushing it because I was “busy.” But here’s the harsh truth I had to learn: hustle without clarity is like driving a car blindfolded. You might be moving, but where the hell are you going?
Hustle Needs Direction
Hustle is great. But without a clear destination, it’s just wasted energy. I was so focused on doing all the things—grinding through my tasks, taking every job I could find—that I never stopped to think about what I was actually building.
And I see this all the time. Entrepreneurs wearing “busy” like a badge of honor, running themselves into the ground without asking the big questions:
What’s the end goal here?
Is this effort compounding or just spinning wheels?
Am I building something sustainable or just keeping myself occupied?
Once I started asking myself those questions, things shifted. I realized I didn’t need to work harder; I needed to work smarter.
Clarity Beats Hustle Every Time
Here’s what no one tells you about success: it’s not about doing more; it’s about doing the right things. Clarity is the cheat code.
When I got clear on my goals, everything changed. I stopped chasing every single job and started focusing on high-value clients. I built systems that allowed me to scale, instead of climbing every ladder myself. And I doubled down on the actions that actually moved the needle.
Clarity doesn’t just guide your hustle—it sharpens it. Every decision becomes easier. Every “no” feels empowering. And suddenly, you’re not just busy—you’re productive.
Why Energy is the Real Currency
Clarity is your GPS, but energy? That’s your fuel. And if you’re running on empty, good luck getting anywhere.
Back in my gutter-cleaning days, I wore burnout like a trophy. I thought being exhausted meant I was winning. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. Burnout kills creativity, and without creativity, you’re just spinning your wheels.
When I started protecting my energy—by cutting out distractions, taking time to recharge, and focusing on high-value work—everything changed. I wasn’t just working hard; I was working effectively.
Fail Faster, Learn Quicker
Here’s another lesson that changed the game for me: failure is not the enemy.
Most people treat failure like it’s a dead-end, but I see it as a shortcut. Every misstep, every bad decision, every client that said “no” taught me something valuable.
When I got into real estate, I made mistakes left and right. But those failures became my best teachers. They showed me what not to do, and over time, they helped me refine my strategy.
Fail faster, fail smarter, and you’ll get to success quicker than you think.
Stop Playing the Comparison Game
One of the quickest ways to kill your momentum? Comparing yourself to others.
In today’s world, it’s way too easy to scroll through social media and feel like you’re falling behind. But let me tell you something: most of what you see online is a highlight reel, not reality.
The only person you need to compete with is the one staring back at you in the mirror. Focus on your growth. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small. That’s how you keep moving forward.
Here’s How You Flip the Script
If you’re tired of spinning your wheels, here’s what you need to do:
Get Clear on Your Vision: Write down exactly what you’re working toward. Be specific.
Protect Your Energy: Cut out distractions and focus on the work that actually matters.
Embrace Failure: Don’t fear mistakes—learn from them and use them to level up.
Celebrate Small Wins: Success is a stack of small victories. Don’t overlook them.
The Bottom Line
Hustle isn’t what makes you successful. It’s clarity, energy, and focus.
So if you’re feeling stuck, take a step back. Ask yourself: “What am I really building here?” Once you have that answer, the rest will fall into place.
The grind doesn’t have to be miserable. Done right, it can be the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do.
Now, go make today count. 🏆