The hustle mentality has become a popular approach in today’s business world. It tells us that with enough hard work, relentless effort, and pushing through, we can achieve anything we desire. But there’s a flaw in this mindset. Hustling can promise you a life of busyness, but it can’t guarantee a life of fulfillment.

In my experience as a corporate strategist and entrepreneur, I’ve come to realize the importance of working with intention and alignment rather than just staying busy. Let’s dive into why hustling on its own isn’t the key to success. We’ll explore how we can shift our focus toward more meaningful and purposeful actions.

The Illusion of Progress

We’ve all been there—working hard, constantly in motion, but feeling like we’re not making real progress. The hustle mentality can trap us in a cycle where we’re always “doing,” but not necessarily moving any closer to our true goals or dreams.

The truth is, you can work tirelessly and still feel stuck. You may find yourself wondering, “Am I even going in the right direction?”. That’s because action without alignment can become an endless loop of frustration. Yes, taking action is important, but unless that effort is applied in the right context, it won’t bear fruit.

The Story of King David: A Lesson in Alignment

One story that illustrates this beautifully is the tale of King David from the Bible. David, the king of Israel, wanted to bring the Ark of the Covenant—an artifact symbolizing the presence of God—to his capital in Jerusalem. The Ark represented God’s glory, goodness, and mercy, and David believed bringing it to Jerusalem would bring tremendous blessings to his kingdom, just as it had to others.

So, David did what any leader would do: he got to work. He built a brand-new cart, selected the strongest oxen, and gathered his best men. But despite all his efforts and planning, things went horribly wrong.

On the way to Jerusalem, the cart hit a bump, causing the Ark to wobble. One of David’s men, Uzzah, instinctively reached out to steady it. In that moment, he was struck dead by lightning from the Ark. What was meant to be a grand, celebratory event turned into a tragic disaster.

David’s story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when we rely solely on our own strength to achieve our goals. Uzzah’s name literally means “strength,” and his tragic fate illustrates the dangers of attempting to carry out our desires by ourselves, without alignment or divine guidance.

This isn’t to say we shouldn’t work hard or take responsibility for our dreams. You and I both know people who sit back, waiting for opportunities to fall into their laps. As a result, they never move forward. But on the flip side, we’ve also seen people who work tirelessly and still struggle to see their efforts come to fruition. Why? Because they’re working in their own strength without the right foundation.

David’s Second Attempt: Working in Harmony

After his initial failure, David took a step back to reflect. He realized that his approach—building a cart, gathering oxen, and relying on his own abilities—was flawed. So, when he decided to try again, he did things differently.

This time, David followed the established way of carrying the Ark. Instead of using a cart, he placed the Ark on the shoulders of the Levites, a family that had been chosen by God to serve as priests. The Levites carried the Ark, and every six steps, they stopped to offer sacrifices and give thanks to God.

This wasn’t just about tradition—it was about alignment. David’s second attempt wasn’t focused on his strength or his plan. It was about working in harmony with God’s purpose and following the system that had already been blessed.

By taking this approach, David successfully brought the Ark to Jerusalem, and it was a moment of great celebration.

The Key to Fulfillment: Working in Alignment with Purpose

So, how does this story relate to you and your goals? If you’ve ever felt the weight of trying to achieve something meaningful—whether it’s building a business, growing a family, or making an impact in your community—you understand the pressure to perform.

But the good news is, you don’t have to carry that burden alone.

The desires you have are there for a reason, and they weren’t placed on your heart just for you to figure everything out by yourself. There’s a divine process at work in your life, one that involves more than just hustling and pushing through obstacles. When you align your efforts with a higher purpose, everything begins to fall into place.

You’ll feel joy, gratitude, and fulfillment—not just because of the work you’ve done, but because of the sense that you’re walking in step with something bigger than yourself. Like David, you’ll find yourself moving forward with purpose, rather than spinning your wheels in a never-ending hustle.

This Week’s Success Challenge: Pause and Align

If you’re like me, your first instinct when faced with a challenge or a new desire is to jump into action. But what if, this week, you paused before you started? What if, instead of immediately planning out your next steps, you took a moment to invite the divine into your process?

Consider saying a prayer or meditating on the idea of working in harmony with God, rather than relying solely on your own strength. Reflect on the systems that may already be in place to help you succeed. Then ask yourself if there’s a way to work with those, rather than reinventing the wheel.

In doing this, you may discover that the path forward is clearer—and that you don’t have to hustle endlessly to reach your destination.

I hope today’s episode gave you some food for thought on how to approach your goals with greater intention and alignment. The hustle mentality may get you far. But working in harmony with your purpose will take you even further—and in a way that’s deeply fulfilling.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments. I love hearing from you, and it helps me create content that’s truly relevant and valuable to your journey.

Until next time, remember: you were never meant to carry the weight of your dreams alone.