We've been taught that success comes from long hours, non-stop hustling, and relentless
"grinding" every day. And to some extent, this approach works—until it doesn't. Eventually, we all reach that moment when we ask ourselves, How much more can I grind? When we’re tapped out, exhausted, and fully aware that something needs to change.
The shift is essential.
From harder to smarter. From limited to limitless. From grind to grace—something beyond our physical abilities.
Professional athletes know this well. Physical training reaches its limits, and the real win
happens in the space between their ears. Success becomes a mental game—and ultimately, a spiritual one. There's a point where the spiritual must take over, where we've already checked all the physical boxes, and yet, something more is needed.
Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
So why do we keep striving so hard in ways that don’t align with God’s plans for rest and
balance? This Biblical principle is a countercultural concept.
The Illusion of More
I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of this—working myself into burnout in the pursuit of business success. And yet, the Bible gives us a clear roadmap. Still, like Eve, we sometimes believe it's too simple. A Sabbath rest? Full dominion over everything in the garden? Surely, there must be more to it.
In chasing what we think is missing, we often deceive and cheat ourselves out of the good
life—the godly life. Realignment is needed. Reinvention is a must. We must live by
design—God’s design.
Living and Working by Design
But how? As Christian business owners, we’re called to be both Biblical and strategic with our time. That means setting up systems that free us from unnecessary hustle and allow us to focus on what truly matters—our families, faith, and Kingdom purpose.
Taking control of our days is crucial. If we don’t, others will.
We need to identify the daily activities that create momentum in our lives and businesses. Some tasks must become non-negotiable. Matt Tack of the Full Fueled Movement puts it well: "You don’t have to decide whether to brush your teeth every day." It’s automatic. It’s part of a routine. That’s the Non-Negotiable Code, and you can create your own Non-Negotiable Code.
Practice the 80/20 rule in your life and business. 80% of the results are coming from 20% of the activity – we just need to sit down and analyze which activities make up the 20% and protect them ferociously.
If spending time with family is important, set the time for it and protect it. If making client calls to generate leads is essential, set the time for it and protect it. When we respect our own priorities, others will too.
People will test us to see if we live our values. That’s the real challenge—ensuring that our
calendars reflect what we say matters most. We need sound systems— sanity systems—to
allow us to live a fruitful life without chronic exhaustion.
Love, joy, peace... these should be at the center of our work and lives.
Building a Business That Supports Your Life
How do you create a business that supports your life instead of draining you of life? Tim Ferriss’ idea of automating and delegating tasks isn’t just a business strategy—it’s
stewardship. We should constantly ask ourselves: What can I hand over? What systems can I
set up so I’m not tied to my business 24/7?
Automation doesn’t make us less involved; it makes us more effective. In fact, the ultimate goal of every business owner should be to not be needed in the day-to-day operations. Once we remove ourselves from the daily grind, we become powerful agents driving the business forward instead of bottlenecks in our own growth and success.
Not one of us is good at everything. And we don’t have to be. Over time, our actions should
reflect a clear choice: the decision to operate in our genius zone instead of spreading ourselves thin. The decision to build a business that aligns with our highest priorities—our family, our faith, multiplying our talents, and the unique purpose God has given us. In other words, break up with the grind, and step into grace.
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About the Author: Priscilla Shumba, MBA, is a business communications strategist, author, and podcaster. Check out her free training: Elevate & Leverage Small Business Media
Learn more and connect with her on LinkedIn.
P.S. If you’re drowning in those business nuggets, I’d suggest you listen to this interview with tech & innovation expert on The Lessons of Entrepreneurship Podcast, West Stringfellow on the process of collecting ideas to ignite innovation.
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