Issue #86: Can Ambition and Rest Coexist?

Is it possible to become wildly successful while also making rest a priority? I believe so.

Would you rather listen to this episode? Paid subscribers get access to the full article plus the audio version! Upgrade your membership today for full access. Already upgraded? Scroll down to listen!

Back in 2016, when I considered myself a blogger over anything, I wrote a book/workbook called The Blogpreneur. Just as it sounds, it was a guided book that taught other bloggers how to build their personal brand and begin making money online. Looking back at it now, I can’t believe I allowed myself to release it, but back then I thought it was a work of art.

My first book, The Blogpreneur. It is unfortunately no longer available for purchase.

Every waking hour was spent writing the book, designing the interior pages and cover, and interviewing other bloggers. Not to mention, I also created and executed the entire launch strategy. All of this was done within a couple of months while I was working a part-time job.

Writing and designing that book was one of the first times I pushed myself beyond my mental capacity and straight into burnout. It was also the start of a long journey of leaning far too much into the hustle culture and neglecting my mind and body’s need for rest.

It wasn’t until a little over a year ago when I decided to come back into business after a year-long sabbatical that I had to ask myself,

“Can ambition and rest coexist?”

As entrepreneurs, we’re often sold the idea that being ambitious means grinding day and night, that the harder we push, the faster success will come. But what if true ambition isn’t about how many hours you work but about how well you can sustain that work over time?

Research shows that sleep affects almost every tissue and system in your body. Like your heart, brain, lungs, and even your mood. Lack of sleep also makes it harder to concentrate, problem-solve, or develop new creative ideas. This is the main reason why we shouldn’t listen to those “marketing bros” who try to make us believe that they are all hustle and no rest. It is scientifically impossible to keep up with that type of pace without burning out or severely injuring yourself.

Even Oprah highly suggests that we make deep self-care a priority.

Back when I wrote The Blogpreneur, hustling to finish it till the early hours of the morning felt like the right decision to make at the moment. But the after-effects I can confidently say weren’t worth it. I ended that launch both mentally and physically exhausted and I made a huge mistake with the book that ended up costing me hundreds of dollars. 🥴 Not only was I tired, but I also didn’t make much money.

So, how do you maintain ambition and go after your goals while also making rest a priority? And is the balance possible?

What I’ve learned is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Rest and ambition can, and should, look different for each of us. For some, it might mean taking weekends completely off, while for others, it could be integrating mini-breaks throughout the day (like the ME Hour). The key is to find what sustains your energy and creativity, rather than depleting it, and stay consistent with your practice with the same fierceness that you do your work.

You also have to shift your mindset from believing that “more is more.” Believing that the more hours that you put in, the more successful you’ll be is a lie. It’s actually the opposite. The more hours you put in, the more exhausted you’ll be.”

Ask yourself: What does my version of ambition look like right now, and how does it make me feel? Does the way I am currently working leave me feeling energized or exhausted? How could incorporating more rest into my day fuel my ambition?

Ultimately, I believe that ambition and rest can coexist. In fact, I believe they pair well together. By allowing ourselves space to recharge, we can maintain our ambition and achieve our goals in a way that feels sustainable and fulfilling. Maybe it’s time to embrace the idea that resting well is part of doing well.

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Do you believe that ambition and rest can coexist?

Cheers to a restful week!

– Alisha

GOOD FINDS

READING: This perfect reminder from

Take Care

to show yourself some gratitude this week.

WATCHING: Christa on Youtube sharing how she uses the cash envelope system for budgeting. She also has really great videos taking you through her planner setups!

WANTING: The Big Idea Food Study journal is the perfect companion for the Big Idea Food devotional!