The one thing we started businesses for, especially as mothers and those raising families, is to have more freedom and flexibility that it provides for us, right?
And yet, oftentimes, the idea of stepping back and truly embracing what we’ve achieved feels terrifying. It’s as if letting go of the chase means losing momentum or growth.
Many entrepreneurs—myself included—find themselves stuck in a pattern of forward focus, continually striving for the next thing while failing to recognize what we’ve already accomplished.
Chasing the next milestone, the next client, or the next big goal.
Sure, ambition and resilience are vital in entrepreneurship. They’re the traits that help us break through barriers and achieve our goals.
But living in a constant state of hustle is not sustainable. Over time, it leads to burnout…not only from workload, but from the emotional toll of always operating from a place of scarcity and fear.
The thoughts creep in:
What if it all goes away?
What if I fall behind?
What if all my customers leave?
These worries pull us back into a cycle of chasing, running, and doing everything we can to avoid losing what we’ve built.
When you own a business, you carry a heavier load, a constant level of responsibility that doesn’t go away. And that responsibility can be exhausting.
While we can’t take away the weight of that responsibility without taking away the business itself, we CAN find ways to reduce the pressure.
That’s exactly what I’ll be sharing today.
What Scarcity Mentality Looks Like
You've probably seen this urgency cycle in yourself, especially if you’re very goal oriented or focused-forward.
And there's nothing wrong with that because we're supposed to evolve as people – we're SUPPOSED to be moving forward – but we're also not evaluating exactly what forward momentum is.
What does that actually look like? What does it feel like? What are the things that I'm qualifying as forward momentum?
This lack of clarity keeps us in a hungry position where we're essentially starving for more. There's a lot of scarcity and it keeps us locked in that position.
Responsibilities paired with self-imposed urgency = scarcity mentality.
There are two causes as to why we burn out:
The emotional and internal operating system for you as the CEO
AND
The workload and the tactical pieces of the business
The battle of exiting a scarcity mentality is that a lot of us, we grew up in scarcity. I didn't grow up with money and abundance. I didn't see that practice by either of my parents.
So depending on what your childhood looked like, depending on what your relationship with money is, all of these things play a factor.
We have to ask: How do I still be ambitious, still be goal-oriented...without exhausting my emotional health?
What Abundance Mentality Looks Like
An abundance mentality is somebody who operates their business from feelings of trust and fullness and wholeness. There's no level of neediness.
It’s knowing that the work that they do and their team does within the business is providing a greater impact and because they are leading with value and with impact, there will always be more.
Sure, we can do the meditations and we can tell ourselves all these things.
Yet, we still get caught up in the mindset of, “Once I reach this milestone, that's where I'm gonna be happy. Once I reach this level, that's when I'll be able to relax or rest or pull back or not push as hard.”
The truth is, if we want to embrace right now, if we want to really have the permission to be present in what we've created, there is a level of discomfort that we have to experience.
4 Ways to Reduce Goal-Chasing Without Losing Momentum in Your Business
Moving from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance doesn’t happen overnight. It’s an intentional process of rewiring your thoughts and behaviors. Here are some steps to get started:
1. The Need for Reflection and Rest
To actually let yourself feel the impact you’ve already made, it requires allowing yourself time and space to think and to reflect. When you incorporate periodization into your business and life, that pullback time is where reflection sits.
It's a place for us to really step back into an overview position we often don't allow ourselves to go in.
This is where you can build your self-confidence, your self-worth, your pride, by recognizing yourself and giving yourself the validation you've been seeking externally.
It's also a place for celebration! Honor yourself for how far you’ve come and allow yourself to see how much you’ve grown.
2. Challenge the Fear and Rewire the Pattern
Our brains are wired to protect us by clinging to the familiar—even when the familiar is exhausting.
To break the cycle, we have to challenge the thoughts that don't allow us to pull back. We have to challenge the thoughts that don't allow us to rest.
And then? Actively choose the opposite, no matter how uncomfortable.
"Just because it's the way that you've always done it doesn't mean that it's gonna be the right way for how you're evolving and how you wanna feel in your life."
For example: if a client leaves, instead of reacting with overdrive to replace them immediately, pause. Reflect on what happened, process the emotions, and assess the reality of your situation before moving forward.
Discomfort is part of the process, but it’s also a sign that you’re building a healthier, more sustainable way to operate.
3. Redefine Success
Take a moment to define what forward momentum looks like for you.
Many of us unknowingly chase goals that aren't ours, ones shaped by outside expectations or comparisons. Take a moment to ask yourself:
What do I actually want from my business?
How do I want my business to serve me and others?
When you shift your focus to goals that align with your values and priorities, you free yourself from unnecessary pressure and give yourself permission to grow at a pace that feels right.
4. Create Stability and Systems That Work for You
If your business depends on your constant effort, you need to shift to a more sustainable structure. Start by identifying areas where you’re doing too much and simplify the workload:
Build systems that bring in clients consistently without requiring constant manual effort. This could include automation, streamlined processes, or better marketing strategies.
Delegate tasks that don’t require your unique expertise. Invest in team members who can manage day-to-day operations, so you’re not carrying the weight alone.
Focus on structure and organization to create a stable foundation for growth. A well-organized business lets you work smarter, not harder, and provides you with the confidence to step back without fearing it will all fall apart.
By putting these systems and structures in place, you’ll reduce the pressure to hustle and create the freedom to be more present in your life and business.
If you’re looking for a thought partner to guide you through both the tactical aspects of your business and the deeper, more challenging decisions, I’m here to support you.
I invite you to book a consultation call with me (the link is in the show notes) or join my waitlist for when a spot opens up. In 2025, I’m excited to work with women who are ready to not only achieve external success but also feel a deep sense of success within themselves.
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