I’m excited to share an important update with you. You will notice that our newsletter has a new name: "The Purpose Circle." This change reflects a deeper alignment with my mission work and our collective journey towards meaningful purpose - our shared identity and commitment to driving purpose in all that we do. Thank you for being part of this community and embracing this evolution with me.
It’s been a minute (and a half), but I’m here - alive, well, and moving in spite of some of the low blows i’ve been dealt this year.
In our society, there's a pervasive belief that ambition and drive must manifest as ceaseless activity and perpetual striving. The busier one is, the more earnest their journey seems. Conversely, a calm demeanor is often mistakenly associated with a lack of ambition or potential for success. This notion is reinforced by media that glorifies the hustle, suggesting that constant sacrifices and relentless effort are essential for building generational wealth. While there's truth in the value of hard work, it's not the sole path to progress. Success and wealth creation can take many forms, and the most crucial aspect is choice—the ability to pursue a path that aligns with your values and vision for life.
In the past, before the advent of social media, people crafted their lives according to personal beliefs and thrived on their own terms. Today, social media exposes us to a multitude of lifestyles and achievements, often leading us to mimic others without considering our unique needs and desires. It’s easy to feel insignificant if our journey doesn't mirror the hyperactive, visibly productive paths showcased online. However, it's important to recognize that different stages of life and personal circumstances call for different approaches.
For instance, I follow numerous highly energetic individuals on social media, and I admire their vigor. Yet, I don’t feel compelled to match their pace because I acknowledge that my current phase doesn't require such intensity. Reflecting on my own path, I understand that younger people with jam-packed schedules are in their season of building. I've already achieved many of the goals they are striving for, which allows me to approach life with a different, perhaps more measured, pace. This perspective is informed by the privilege of having established a reliable professional reputation and a consistent work ethic, ensuring ongoing opportunities.
Even during times when I'm not financially liquid due to continuous reinvestment, I'm never in a position where my basic needs are unmet. This stability is a testament to the privilege I've built, where financial strain is a choice rather than a necessity. I do occasionally question if this privilege will persist, or if failing to accumulate substantial wealth now will lead to hardship in old age. Yet, I counter these doubts by reflecting on the supportive network I've nurtured—people who would undoubtedly be there for me if needed. This mutual investment in relationships is a core component of my wealth plan.
This doesn't mean I avoid hard work, rather, it allows me to work with less anxiety and stress, avoiding burnout. With the deep-seated belief that I am secure and that more good things are on the horizon, I can maintain a balanced approach to ambition, one that honors my personal pace and circumstances. Ultimately, there is no single path to success, and embracing the diversity of approaches is key to finding fulfillment and prosperity on one's own terms.
I share a video here: where I talk about this experience - check it out.
Love,
Lumina
This was such a helpful read! Thank you so much for sharing! Wheewww! The hustle life is really draining and you're right! We often feel like we're not doing enough as we're caught in a constant loop of comparison. Looking forward to the day when I'd be able confident and comfortable in my own pace, knowing that there's no race to finish, only enjoy. Thank you, once again!
Thank you for sharing your insightful thoughts, Adaora.
I'm in a slightly different space as I haven't particularly distinguished myself professionally so I sometimes feel I still need to hustle for recognition. But at other times I question if that's worth it because I was never in it for the accolades.
At the beginning of my career journey, my goal was to leave a lasting positive impact on people's lives and not to be acclaimed except by the most important people in my life. So in a way I am resisting the tide of hustling for social media kudos and trying to work in quiet.
I also hope to be more intentional in prioritizing quality over quantity, and I want to be comfortable enough to exercise choice instead of always running after opportunities. I guess I want to be in a flow state.
P.s. I just learned about the concept of time poverty ( https://www.instagram.com/commonfuturists/p/C6wqwAjxCi5/?img_index=1 ). I would love to hear your thoughts on it.