Beyond Hustle Culture: Embracing Boundaries for Purposeful Living as a Christian Entrepreneur

You rise at 6:00 a.m., open Instagram, and immediately, these are the things that run across your screen: Rise and Grind | Go-Getter | Side Hustle | Grit Culture | Hustle Mentality.

The tension rises, and then panic sets in as you look at your to-do list and think, 'I’m not doing enough!!' No? Just me? I didn’t think so.

As a Christian woman entrepreneur, what’s the balance between grit culture and getting things done that you are called to do? I believe it comes from the example of Jesus Himself, who was fully God and fully man. Yet, He had to pull away from the crowds to be alone, and get this… He never hurried or hustled! Not once. He walked!

But when we are working from a place of 'less than,' stress, and just 'getting through it,' we are running on empty and actually hurt, which comes out as control!

As believers, we have been conditioned to believe that we are supposed to serve. And although that’s true, it doesn’t mean to our detriment. As entrepreneurs and believers, who often own businesses that are built to serve others, the sacrifices can often be even higher.

It’s a balance that’s very hard to manage, and one we can get sucked into without even noticing. So let me propose something that might sound like a curse word at first: BOUNDARIES (Gasp)! Hear me out!

God created boundaries, and Jesus had boundaries, too, while He was on earth. Think about the boundary in the garden: how Adam and Eve could not eat from the tree of knowledge, and how Jesus set a boundary around His alone time with God. He didn’t do what others expected Him to do; He constantly pushed the boundaries of the norm.

So why shouldn’t we? Instead of a confession today, I want to give you a permission slip instead. You have permission to set a boundary around your:

• Work schedule

• Personal life

• What you say yes to

• How much time you give to others – even those you serve.

Boundaries are good and need to be in place so that you only pursue what God is calling you to, not what others EXPECT of you. Boundaries help lead us to healing, and healing leads us to purpose! The only way to serve others well is to serve from a place of fullness.

Now go and be the woman you are created to be!

Xoxo,

Heather