Why Hustle is Overrated and the Power of Pause

We’re told if you want to succeed in life you got to… hustle, right?
You need to grind, hustle, and work longer and harder if you will make it and become something in the world. Entire companies and regions of the country (I see you Silicon Valley) built on this premise.
But I want to add a more important word into your vocabulary. A word most people know nothing of in a fast-paced, instant gratification, and burn out society.
Pause.
The hustle verbiage is fine but overrated. You need to work hard, long, and effectively if you want to succeed. No problem.
But to reach higher planes of growth requires reflection.
Pause is how you grow.
Pause is how you create space in your life to determine where you’re headed. And if where you’re headed is the right and a good direction.
Hustle for hustle sake is a dead end. Equivalent of pulling on a slot machine that no longer has money.
Pause gives space to redirect course and recharge when necessary.
Pause is a countercultural word and practice. A foreign specimen in quick and easy fixes.
We believe those who go faster will win the game. But the wisest and most effective leaders in the world are people who pause. Reflect. Think.
So you say: Okay, smarty pants. If I implement the magic of pause into my life what does this entail? What do I do when I pause?
Glad you asked.
The bulk of your time spent in pause mode will revolve around questions. Asking pointed and heart-reflective questions becoming more self aware in the process.
John Maxwell in his book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth (pp. 56–67) gives ten questions for becoming more self aware:
1. What is my biggest asset?
What do I bring to my relationships, family, company, or organization? Attitude. Work ethic. Ability to communicate, deal with hard people, etc.
2. What is my biggest liability?
Where do you see areas of needed growth? How can your biggest asset turn into your greatest liability? Where’s a disconnect between what I believe and how I live?
3. What’s my highest high?
What makes you the happiest? Where is there great joy in your life? What causes this high?
4. What’s my lowest low?
Where do I feel drained? What brings me down and causes sleepless nights? Where am I discouraged?
5. What is my most worthwhile emotion?
Why is this emotion good for others? How can it add value to people?
6. What is my least worthwhile emotion?
Where do I see negative emotions in my life? What emotions are damaging relationships, work, family, etc?
7. What is my best habit?
What do you do that brings value to yourself and others? How does this habit serve and build up others?
8. What is my worst habit?
What habit hurts me and others? How does this habit make me less happy, effective, and sap my growth?
9. What is most fulfilling to me?
Where do you get excited in relationships, work, and other areas of life? How can you do more of this…?
10. What do I prize most highly?
What is the greatest priority of life for you?
Three More Action Steps:
1. Pick a place to pause. Make this a guarded and sacred space.
2. Schedule a time to pause. Put it in the calendar like anything else. Do it now!
3. Ask: where do I need to grow the most right now?
