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I’ve always dreamed of being a legit writer.

Not just someone who writes in her journal or posts an occasional blog on her website, but someone who has books in actual book stores, published articles that people actually read, and street cred in the media world.

Even though I’ve been writing since I was fourteen years old, it wasn’t until recently that I felt like a real writer. When my articles started getting published by mega online magazines like Elephant Journal and my money advice was featured in CNBC Select, I finally started feeling like my words and my message mattered.

And then the opportunity to be a freelance writer for a popular mental health magazine presented itself. And it offered to PAY me for my writing, which seriously never happened before!

I became all giddy with excitement at the thought of making bank by doing something I love doing…and then I turned down the offer.

Why?

Because I’m 100% committed to keeping a zen vibe while growing my business…

…and having the pressure of writing great articles for someone else every single month would keep me from doing other things that bring joy, peace, and contentment to my life.

As you grow your business and become more successful, more and more people are going to notice you…and offer you incredible opportunities.

It’s wonderful and amazing when you’re invited to guest teach in a mastermind…or collaborate with a big name in your niche…or write an article for someone else’s website!

And sometimes those opportunities are SO WORTH IT…and so much fun…and help you grow your business in massive ways.

But other times, those opportunities eat up your precious time and energy, distract you from what you’re working on in your biz, and stress you the hell out.

If you’re like me, you want growing your business to feel easy, fun, exciting, and completely pleasurable…not stressful, overwhelming, anxiety provoking, and a complete drag.

So, here’s my advice on how to keep a zen vibe while growing your business:

1. Only work on crush-worthy projects.
   
   It doesn’t matter how great the opportunity might seem, if the thought of working on a project makes you feel a sense of dread, it’s not worth it.

   If starting a podcast makes you break out in hives, don’t do it. If writing a blog post every week feels like torture, don’t do it. Pick projects and strategies for growing your business that feel fun and spark creativity.

2. Make time for play in your work day.

   All work and no play keeps the zen vibes away. I used to grind in my business all day, every day and it made me a grouchy, miserable beast. I didn’t take breaks (not even for lunch) and would spend hours hunched over my laptop trying to cure writer’s block, when all I needed to do was walk away for a bit, move my body, and do something fun.

   Carve out time in your day to exercise, bird watching, a Netflix quickie, your favorite podcast, snuggling your kitty, or enjoying lunch with a friend. Block off the time on your calendar. Adding more play to your day will boost creativity, productivity, and pleasure while growing your business.

3. Commit to doing less.

   I’m anti-hustle culture, because trying to do all the things other successful entrepreneurs tell us to do is exhausting. We make growing a business harder than it needs to be by trying to meet other people’s standards.

   Pick 1-3 things you’re going to focus on in your business for the next 90 days and only do those things. Maybe you’ll focus on writing guest blog posts, pitching podcasts, and running Instagram ads to grow your list. Or maybe you’ll focus on creating content, writing copy for a sales page, and planning a launch for a new offering.

   Keep your to-do list small. Say “no” or “not right now” to anything that isn’t on that list.

4. Take a look around.

   Get out in nature. Hear the sounds. Smell the smells. Look around at your surroundings. Soak in the sensory stimulation.

   It seems so simple…and only takes five minutes…but it makes a huge difference. When you’re having the worst day ever, nothing is going right, or you feel like giving up, get outside and tap into your senses. You’ll instantly feel better and can return to your work with a fresh perspective.

When you’re on a mission to grow you business as quickly as possible, it can be tempting to work ALL THE TIME, accept every opportunity, and pack your schedule full, but that is a recipe for burn out, exhaustion, and hating entrepreneurship.

As you’re planning your week, month, and quarter, remember these tips for how to keep a zen vibe in your business so you can do the work you love, truly enjoy your life and business, and experience fun and pleasure on the daily.

Women entrepreneurs work way too hard. Share this post with a business friend and add some zen to their day.