We are currently in an era of hustle culture, where people emphasize the importance of side hustles, the hustle mentality, and grinding to achieve their dreams despite the obstacles.
This mentality provides the necessary push to get things done and is often associated with the masculine energy that propels us forward. In my case, that masculine energy has served me in building my business with its elements of ambition, drive, focus, strategy, discipline, and logic.
The topic of masculinity has negative connotations attached to it with talk of toxic masculinity, alpha females putting down men, and the idea that it’s inflexible and fragile, yet domineering. Even conversations surrounding hustle culture involve images of overworked people, not just merely striving, but struggling to make it with hashtags like #teamnosleep and memes displaying work exhaustion all over social media.
But the masculine energy I’m talking about is one of productivity. The hustle I speak of is one where I’m inspired to persevere because my belief is that more is out there for me.
Where does the hustle mentality come from? The roots of it stem from a lack, typically originating from childhood experiences of hardship or poverty, not having enough, watching other kids have more than you and wanting the same.
However, the hustle isn’t enough. Even CEOs know this. They don’t hustle at a certain point in their careers. They go on to become visionaries and delegate the hustle to others. Solely living with the hustle mentality is limiting, blocks growth and isn’t the sign of a true leader.
This is where the heart comes in. This is where the feminine comes in to balance out the masculine.
The hustle is the vehicle to move forward, while the heart is the fuel that gives that vehicle life. The heart is the feminine and with it comes flexibility, creativity, empathy, communication, compassion, acceptance and energy to thrive, not just survive. As a team in business, relationships and individually, they can take you far. It is crucial to recognize that the heart and the hustle work in tandem to make one unstoppable.
I remember a meeting with John, my brother's long-time mentor and a legend in the investment industry (John Walsh, President of Compass and former VP of Investments at Marcus & Millichap).
One day he asked me, “Vanessa, do you know why I will pay you what you're asking for?”
“No, why?” I said.
“I know the type of heart that comes with the Aguilar family,” he said.
John taught me that the heart would get one further in life than the hustle alone. Combined, both will enable individuals to surpass the masses and achieve their goals.
Together, the heart and the hustle drive one to become indestructible. In this energy, you can achieve the unimaginable.
People who hustle with heart are those who I will always bet on because they have overcome obstacles that were meant to destroy them and emerged stronger.
They are evidence that life is for you and not against you. That the odds are in your favor and your circumstances are not the deciding factor.
Someone who hustles and works to make their dreams a reality will never regret trying and failing. Not only that, despite failure, they will take another shot at that goal and come out on top having applied lessons learned from the previous setback.
Also, keep in mind, this journey will trigger those who are not on your path and they may judge your work ethic. But thank them for underestimating you and judging you because your outcome and the results will speak louder than their words.
In that situation, be still, quick to listen and slow to speak. It’s essential to mind your own business and focus on achieving your dreams while ignoring the naysayers.
My heart has taught me that not every confrontation merits a response.
Remember to keep listening to your intuition, it will never steer you wrong. You came to this life knowing. Tap into it and thrive!
It won’t be easy but it sure as hell will be worth it!
So when you ask me about my hustle, I will give you my heart because I know she will never let me or you down.
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