Why Your Hard Work Isn’t Paying Off—And What My Garden Taught Me About It
I used to believe the key to success was working harder. More hours, more effort, more doing. But no matter how much I pushed, I felt stuck—like I was running on empty.
I once planted seeds in an egg carton, carefully tucking them into the soil and watering them just enough to keep them moist. Every day, I checked on them, thrilled to see the tiny green shoots pushing through. They started growing, stretching toward the light. It felt like magic—until suddenly, they stopped. One by one, they wilted.
The leaves wilted. The stems bent under their own weight. No matter how much I watered them, how much sunlight they got, they just… stopped thriving.
I later learned that I had made a critical mistake—I had protected them too much. Without wind, without the resistance of the natural elements, their stems never developed the strength to support themselves. The moment they faced reality, they collapsed.
And I couldn’t help but see myself in those fragile little seedlings.
For years, I thought that more effort, more hours, more control would create the life and business I wanted. I believed that if I just kept pushing, success would follow. But just like those seedlings, without balance, without the right conditions for sustainable growth, everything I built started to wither.
Why So Many of Us Feel Like We’re Stuck in Overworking Mode
We’ve been taught that hard work = success. That if we’re not constantly moving, we’re falling behind. That rest is for the weak, and slowing down means we’re not trying hard enough.
But here’s the thing—growth isn’t just about effort. It’s about conditions.
If you’re feeling burned out, exhausted, or like you’ve been working endlessly with little to show for it, it’s not because you’re not trying hard enough—it’s because something is out of alignment.
As we move into Spring Equinox, nature reminds us of something we often forget:
- Growth needs balance. If we force things too soon, they break. If we neglect them, they die.
- Resistance is necessary. Just like seedlings need wind to grow strong, we need moments of challenge and adaptation to build something sustainable.
- Everything has its timing. Not all seeds sprout at the same rate. Some take longer, some require different conditions. Your journey is not behind—it’s on its own path.
Breaking Free from the Overworking Trap
If you’ve been feeling like you can’t slow down, like there’s never enough time, and yet you’re still not where you want to be, you’re not alone. But if nothing changes, where does this lead? More exhaustion, more frustration, and the creeping doubt that maybe this dream just isn’t for you. What if the real issue isn’t you—but the way you’ve been conditioned to think about work and success? Here’s what I’ve observed about creating sustainable growth—both in business and in life:
Like my seedlings, we don’t thrive just because we’re working hard—we thrive when the conditions support us.
Let’s Make Sure What You’re Building Is Strong Enough to Last
If you’re feeling stuck in overwork, exhaustion, or constantly chasing something that still feels out of reach, I see you. I’ve been there. And I also know there’s another way.
- What if you could step off the hamster wheel and start creating your life in a way that feels good?
- What if you could create success without sacrificing your needs in the process?
This is the work I do with women—helping them step out of the system of overworking and into their own rhythm, a more sustainable, fulfilling way of being.
Let’s shift the way you work—so you don’t burn out before you even get where you’re going. In this free call, we’ll identify what’s holding you back and craft a plan to help you work in a way that actually works for you. Less exhaustion, more clarity. Book a free discovery call today.
Spring reminds us: Growth doesn’t come from grinding—it comes from alignment. Step away from your to-do list today. Take 10 minutes to just be. This is the resistance worth pushing through.