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Monday Mantra: The Dream is Free, The Hustle is Sold Separately

The Dream is Free, The Hustle is Sold Separately

Last week I felt uninspired, unmotivated, and unproductive. I’m going to cut myself some slack here, and blame it on the fact that my body was fighting a pesky cold…and it has since lost the battle. So now that I have succumbed to this will-it-or-won’t-it-become-a-cold virus, I’ve had a lot of time to lay in bed and think.

When I started this blog in 2014, I was adjusting to life after thyroid cancer. I never thought of becoming a writer, had never written anything publicly, and wasn’t even sure where to begin. I just knew I wanted a change. I decided to put pen to paper, or in this case, pull out my iPad, and just start writing. My early posts lacked any real direction, but I enjoyed the creative process of having a space for my thoughts. Fast forward two years and this blog, which I often refer to as my baby, brings me more joy than I ever could have imagined. From connecting with readers, to reviewing new products, to sharing topics that I’m passionate about with all of you — it has reminded me that you can (and should) enjoy what you do every day.

I always thought finding my passion would be the hardest part of my post-collegiate journey…and it was a struggle. But the reality of turning your passion into a paycheck is infinitely harder. That’s where the hustle comes in. The long days, and even longer nights. The emails to people you admire looking for guidance, answers, and with any luck, a direction. Some people are fortunate to have all of these questions answered before they cross that stage and are handed their diploma upon graduation. Many spend an entire lifetime, and go through countless careers, looking for that elusive partner. There is no right or wrong way to find your passion. But remember, that is the easier part of the equation.

When I stumbled upon the mantra for today, it reinforced all that I’ve learned about finding your direction, and turning it into a path. Anyone can have a dream, but it takes hustle to make it happen — and that can’t be taught. I’ve always told myself that no one will believe in my dream as much as I do. And with that in mind, I take comfort in not having all of the answers today, tomorrow, or maybe even next month, but I know that I am doing all I can to make it a reality — some day.

So on this Monday, I invite you all to embrace this mantra. And as my computer screen reminds me each time I sit at my desk — “work like a boss.”

What’s your favorite mantra?

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Comments

    • That’s a great outlook to have, Christina! I’ll have to remind myself of my “rockstar” status this week, because this cold has me feeling otherwise. Happy Monday!

      Reply

  6. Ahhh I love that mantra! My blog is quite new still, I kind of jumped into it and hit the ground running; I’m still not sure if I ‘m going in the right direction with it, but in this case I suppose action is better than inaction!

    xo, alice / T Y P E N U

    Reply

  10. I love this post, Vanessa! There has certainly been days or seasons where I’ve felt uninspired and even thought of throwing in the towel. It’s then that I remind myself of all the reasons why I’ve started this journey I’m on in the first place and sometimes, my husband unapologetically and much appreciated, reminds me and give me a much needed reality check. No one is every going to give us anything because that’s simply not how life works, although we’d all wish it were. The truth is we need to work and work hard to make our dreams a reality and as cliché as it may sound, anything worth having is certainly worth fighting for. There’s also another quote that I love, but I don’t know who to credit, “As fast as a shooting star goes up, is as fast as it comes down.” This couldn’t be any more true. Sometimes, we can become so easily discouraged by what we perceive as growth that others are so “easily” attaining and feel as though perhaps we aren’t as good or valuable, but anything that will become legendary has to past the test of TIME.

    Thanks again for sharing this and this is certainly the perfect quote to start off the week and month with 🙂 I hope you have a great week ahead!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    http://www.thestylecontour.com

    Reply

    • Thanks, Jalisa! I always enjoy reading your insight, and thanks for sharing your mantra. I believe you shouldn’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Everything happens in the time in which it is supposed to — and I think you hit on that in your comment. Of course, hard work always helps, too!

      Reply

    • Yoga works wonders, Colleen! I love setting a new intention for each practice. It helps me focus on my body, and allows my mind to let go of things that no longer serve me.

      Reply

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hey there!

I’m Vanessa E. Steil, a board-certified patient advocate, equestrian, and the blogger behind Living in Steil (pronounced ‘style’). Thanks so much for stopping by!

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