How Self-Compassion and Small Shifts Can Transform Your Business and Life

May 26

Why Working Harder Isn’t the Answer

Maya was exhausted. Overworked. Feeling behind in her business and overwhelmed in her life. Then, a health crisis forced her to stop—and made her realize just how much she had been running on empty.

What she discovered next changed everything.

For years, she believed that pushing harder was the only way to succeed. But instead of creating progress, it created stress, anxiety, and exhaustion.

Through coaching, Maya learned that the problem wasn’t her effort—it was her beliefs.

If you’re working long hours, constantly second-guessing yourself, and feeling like success is always just out of reach, this is for you.

The Hidden Patterns Keeping You Stuck

Most high-achieving immigrant businesswomen are taught to believe:
✅ Resting means falling behind.
✅ Productivity means always doing more.
✅ Success requires pushing through exhaustion.

But here’s the truth: These beliefs are keeping you in a cycle of stress and overwork.

When you believe that success requires constant effort, you end up:
🔹 Overloading your schedule with tasks that don’t actually move you forward.
🔹 Feeling guilty whenever you take time to rest or focus on yourself.
🔹 Ignoring your own needs until your body forces you to stop.

If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have time to slow down” or “If I don’t push through, I’ll fall behind,” you’re not alone. But the truth is, the way you think about success needs to shift before anything changes.

The 3 Thought Shifts That Changed Everything

Instead of pushing through, Maya made three small mental shifts—and they completely changed how she worked, thought, and lived.

Shift #1: From “I don’t have time” → to “I create time for what matters.”

⏳ Maya used to feel overwhelmed by everything on her to-do list, believing there was never enough time. But instead of trying to do it all at once, she started focusing on small, intentional actions.

🔹 She began with just 30 minutes of decluttering her office.
🔹 Instead of waiting for a “perfect” time, she created time for what mattered most.
🔹 She realized time expands when she focuses on what moves her forward.

👉 Ask yourself: What’s one small action I can take today to move forward?

Shift #2: From “I should be able to handle this” → to “I deserve support.”

🤝 Maya believed she had to figure everything out on her own. But pushing through alone wasn’t working—it was leaving her exhausted and stuck.

🔹 She stopped feeling guilty for asking for help and guidance.
🔹 She learned that support doesn’t mean weakness—it accelerates success.
🔹 She gave herself permission to use tools and systems that made life easier.

👉 Ask yourself: Where in my life am I resisting support, and how could accepting it help me?

Shift #3: From “I’m failing” → to “I am figuring things out.”

🚀 Maya used to see setbacks as proof she wasn’t good enough. But she learned that every challenge was a lesson, not a failure.

🔹 She stopped making mistakes mean something about her worth.
🔹 She realized she wasn’t stuck—she was learning and growing.
🔹 She shifted from self-judgment to self-compassion, making progress faster.

👉 Ask yourself: What if every challenge was just feedback helping me grow?

What Happens When You Make These Shifts?

When Maya shifted her thinking, everything changed:
✅ She stopped overworking and started working strategically.
✅ She felt in control of her time, energy, and business.
✅ She replaced stress with clarity, confidence, and ease.

You don’t have to push harder to succeed—you need better strategies and support.