Are you leading from overflow or force? This is a question every entrepreneur should be asking themselves if they want to achieve peace in their journey. It’s a topic that resonates deeply with me, so much so that it inspired a swim in the ocean to start my day. Though my hair may be tangled with salt, my mind is clear. I’ve just returned from a rejuvenating week at my family’s beach house, a place that grounds me and connects me to my true self and calling. Today, I want to share the concept of overflow versus force and why it’s vital for sustainable success.
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Defining Overflow vs. Force
Imagine a pitcher overflowing with water. Overflow is this effortless abundance, where everything you do feels natural and impactful, like everything you touch turns to gold. In contrast, force is the constant struggle, pushing to achieve milestones at any cost. Entrepreneurs often confuse motion with progress, mistakenly believing that freedom and peace follow the grind. But why wait for the grind to end when there’s another path available now?
The Cost of Building by Force
Many entrepreneurs operate under the myth that the current hectic season will eventually pass. Unfortunately, this is rarely true. A business built from force often leads to burnout, despite outward appearances of success. You may find yourself waking up a decade later, successful on paper yet questioning the sacrifices made along the way. I’ve been there, and I know there’s a better way—one that centers on overflow.
The Case for Overflow
Building from overflow means aligning with your virtues, values, and calling. It’s about stepping into your true potential while maintaining peace and joy. Rather than slowing down productivity for the sake of rest, it’s about multiplying your impact by aligning with what truly matters. For years, entrepreneurs like me have been trapped in a system that rewards over-functioning. But what good is a business that pays well if it also cages you in? A shift to overflow allows you to create a business that runs independently, so you can focus on what truly fuels you.
Practical Steps to Achieve Overflow
The shift doesn’t happen overnight, and it requires conscious, intentional decisions. Here are steps to begin your journey:
- Re-evaluate Your Work: Are you doing tasks because they move the needle or because they are familiar? Reassess and delete tasks that don’t align with your vision.
- Create Margin: Build downtime into your schedule not just to rest, but to dream and strategize. Learn to thrive in this space instead of dreading it.
- Embrace Difficult But Meaningful Work: Seek tasks that challenge you but align with your calling. Resist the temptation of tasks that are easy yet burdensome.
- Implement Tools for Clarity: Use prompts and tools that guide you toward overflow thinking. I’ve developed prompts that have transformed my approach, and they’re available to you.
- Systemize Your New Approach: Develop systems that support building from overflow, ensuring your enterprise becomes an asset rather than a burden.
After a life-changing experience, I realized I had been driven by grit rather than grace. It was humbling to see how resilience had masked the need for meaningful work. Focusing on overflow led to unexpected success and growth, reaffirming that true leadership comes from alignment, not productivity.
The journey from force to overflow isn’t just about business—it’s about becoming the leader your family, team, and legacy deserve. Avoid the hollow success of force-based building. Instead, awaken to a life of peace and fulfillment, guided by your deeper purpose. Join me and let’s explore the possibilities together.
Invitation
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Thank you for reading. I look forward to your thoughts and hearing from you about your experiences shifting from force to overflow.
