Last week, I unexpectedly found myself in the hot seat as a guest on a podcast.  I was buzzing with excitement to share my experience and insights, but things took a dramatic turn right off the bat. The host, upon hearing my views on hard work, didn't just disagree—he was downright confrontational. I'd challenged the very foundation of his beliefs and he was adamant that hard work is a virtue, essential for success.  He couldn’t fathom how I had the audacity to dare question this age-old doctrine. He felt, a responsibility to his audience, NOT to share my thoughts on hard work, and we ended the conversation.  

What are my thoughts on hard work?

It SUCKS!

The Hard Truth About Hard Work

Growing up, I was no stranger to the belief that sweat and tears were the currency of success. The relentless hours you worked, the harder you pushed, the more you suffered… the more worthy you were of praise and the good things in life.  

For years, decades even, I held onto this belief.  If only I worked hard enough, long enough hours, sacrificed enough, I would finally have a successful business, thus a successful, happy life.

But then after decades of hard, relentless work.  I just became tired.  Exhausted.  Completely burned out.  I just didn’t want to work so hard anymore.  I didn’t want to hustle.  I didn’t want to sacrifice my happiness NOW for potential future happiness sometime in the future. 

That’s when I made the choice to FLOW and that’s when it all changed.

My Pivot to Flow and Alignment

That confrontation on the podcast unfortunately is pretty common in today’s world.  Even though it’s completely outdated and many, if not most, entrepreneurs I come across are miserable and exhausted, it’s still a common belief.  The common belief is that you need to Hustle.  Hustle.  Hustle… and then you’ll be happy.  Someday…  Far away.

I don’t agree.

I want to be happy NOW.  I choose to shift towards flow and alignment over the traditional hustle. Imagine a way of working where everything just clicks—where you're not constantly battling against the current but rather moving with it, in harmony that allows for ease and flow.  Impact and financial rewards.

Let me be clear.  I’m not saying to stop working.  Not at all.  I’m just asking you to consider transitioning into a way of working that creates business alignment.  A method that is clear, simple, easy and streamlined. 

In practical terms, alignment is about setting up systems that work, empowering your team through delegation, and making sure every action is aligned with your broader vision, goals and impact. 

This approach puts you and your team in your zones of genius most of the day, paving the way for innovation and sustainable growth.

4 Practical Steps to STOP Working So Hard, So that You Can Embrace Your Business Flow

So, how can you start moving towards a more aligned way of working? 

Here are a few strategies that have made all the difference for me and my clients:

• Setup Your Tech Tools: We have SO many amazing tech tools available to us.  Setup a work management tool (Like Monday.com), automate tasks, use screen recording software to train your team members.  The possibilities are endless. 

• Sync up your Technique:  I know that operations, systems and processes are the unsexy part of business.  But that’s where your freedom is, both time freedom and financial freedom.  When you start to look at the inefficiencies in your business and incorporate some flow and efficiencies, you change the game and set yourself to flow and scale naturally.

• Tighten Up Your Teams:  Do you have the right people, in the right seats, doing the right things, at the right times?  Your team is one of your most valuable assets.  Getting your team on board, delegating effectively, and setting them to work in their zones of genius is alignment at its best.  

• Training is Essential: Get the education you need to align your business.  We’re taught about 1000 ways to “10x your business within the next 30 days,” but we’re not often taught how to delegate, how to create systems, how to scale naturally with flow and ease.  Find an integrator, project manager or business operations guru to help you implement the flow state into your business.
  

As I think about that intense podcast debate, I'm reminded why I began questioning the hustle mentality in the first place. My goal is not just to build a successful business but to create a life filled with balance, happiness, and fulfillment. 

If you're like me and my clients, tired of the relentless grind, know that there's another way—a way that embraces flow, alignment, and well-being.

Together, let's redefine what success looks like, creating not just thriving businesses but lives that are juice, rich, balanced, and utterly fulfilling. 

Are you with me?

To learn more about The Business Alignment Method, visit goaldi.com.