Most people don’t build businesses; they build traps. Let’s sit wiht that for a moment because, when you really start to peel back the layers, it hits harder than a cold shower on a Sunday morning.
I remember when I first stepped into the entrepreneurial arena. I had the bright eyes and an ambitious heart, fueled by late-night YouTube binges of success stories and drag-you-by-the-bootstraps motivation. Two years in, I realized something crucial: I wasn’t building a business; I was spiraling into a self-made cage. Yes, I was financially free in some respects, but the unpredictability of my life had turned into a daily grind. My “hustle” felt less like ambition and more like a relentless hamster wheel. I was trapped.
In today’s society, we glorify the hustle, the grind, waking up at 5 AM, and working until midnight. But what does that even mean? I spent endless nights tweaking ads, chasing trends, all while forgetting why I started in the first place. The allure of financial freedom became a gilded cage, and I wasn’t the only one.The reality is that many entrepreneurs, myself included, start off chasing their dreams only to build bigger, fancier traps that look like businesses from the outside-but inside, the doors are locked.
The first challenge to overcome is recognizing the difference. A trap typically feels like freedom but takes more than it gives. Real businesses, conversely, should have more freedom baked into their DNA. picture this: a machine that,when set up right,continues to run whether you’re there or not. That’s what a real business is. It doesn’t deplete your life energy; it amplifies it.
Understand this: Your business should serve you, not the other way around. A bold statement? Absolutely. But think about it-when did we all agree that sacrificing our personal life was the price for success? I’ve had clients working 80-hour weeks, burning out, and wondering why their mental health took a nosedive. They were stuck in a cycle of stuckness, accidentally becoming their own worst enemies.
Let’s talk mindset shifts.It starts with asking the right questions. What do you wont your life to look like? Not your business; your life. Get granular. Who do you want to spend time with? How do you want to feel on a daily basis? These questions guide you in the weaving of a life that is authentic to you, rather than falling victim to someone else’s blueprint of success.
You see, the most impactful lesson I learned was the art of delegation. Initially, I treated my business like it was an extension of my ego. If I can’t do it all, did I even earn my stripes? It sounds ridiculous written out, but I know many reading this can relate. You’ll often hear that entrepreneurs should wear all the hats. Forget that. The most accomplished ones know when to take them off and hand them to someone else.
And let’s not dance around the hard truths: If you’re busy pretending to uphold your business with the right “grind,” while ignoring your health and relationships, you’re building a trap. There’s nothing glamorous about running yourself into the ground while expecting success to greet you on the other side. It’s just… sad.
here’s another raw truth: financial success doesn’t guarantee fulfillment. I hit my first six figures and felt empty. No fulfillment in that bank account, just a creeping sensation that I’d sold my soul for numbers. I was proud but hollow, and it shook me. The trap tightened.But through that discomfort, I decided to redefine my metrics. Wealth isn’t just what fills your bank account; it’s what fills your life.
Realizing that took grit, and here’s the kicker: every time you step out of what feels cozy, you’re inviting clarity into the chaotic mess of “business.” Embrace the discomfort. Seek it out. Build something that excites you, that lights a fire in your belly-a venture that supports your vision rather than suffocating it.
Ultimately, we have a choice. We can choose to stay in the comforting lull of a familiar trap, convinced that it’s the path to success. Or, we can push through the discomfort, take that risk, and build something liberating.As you ponder where you stand today, glance around and ask yourself: is this a business, or is this a trap?
It’s time to break the cycle. Choose wisely. The world is waiting for you to create something that not only changes your life but also inspires others to step out of their cages and into the light.