Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference between intentional action and hustle. Honestly, I’ve never loved the word “hustle.” It sounds frantic and exhausting — like we’re constantly racing against the clock. But the truth is, hustle is real. There are seasons in life and business where we simply have to push hard to get things done.

The problem is when hustle becomes the default instead of the exception.

When Hustle Takes Over

Sometimes we need to hustle — like when I look around my house during busy season and realize it’s gotten out of control. Between my business, my husband’s schedule, and kids’ practices every night except Sunday, things pile up fast.

So yes, I’ll spend a Saturday or Sunday hustling to get it back in order. But here’s the thing — if I put intentional action in place afterward, like creating a plan with my family to keep things tidy each day, then we don’t end up back in that same spot a week later.

The same goes for your business.

Are you hustling just to get a newsletter sent out or edits finished? Are you posting non-stop for three days and then going silent for months? If you find yourself sprinting, stopping, and starting again, you’re probably living in hustle mode.

Intentional action, on the other hand, brings rhythm. It helps you move forward without chaos.

Why Intentional Action Feels Lighter

Intentional action is about doing things with purpose — not panic.
It’s about looking ahead, creating a plan, and setting yourself up for calm success instead of reactive overwhelm.

A simple example? My son is getting his driver’s license soon, and we need 60 hours of driving practice. We hadn’t been intentional about tracking them, so now we’re hustling to squeeze them in before the deadline.

Instead of continuing to stress about it, we sat down for 15 minutes and mapped out a plan. That small act of intentionality took a huge weight off. It didn’t remove the work — we still have to drive those hours — but it gave structure to the process.

That’s what intentional action does: it replaces chaos with clarity.

Planning Brings Peace

Hustle often feels out of control. It’s that frantic energy of throwing a Hail Mary pass, hoping it lands. Intentional action feels the opposite — steady, thoughtful, empowering.

When you take even ten minutes to pause and make a plan, you regain control. You relieve the stress that comes from not knowing if or how something will get done.

And if you’re like me, you probably need those intentional pauses built in. That’s part of why I created the Let’s Go Retreats for women business owners. They give you the space to step away from the day-to-day grind and get focused on the things you keep saying you’ll do “someday.”

When you slow down long enough to plan, you make life — and business — feel lighter.

My Challenge for You

If you’re in a season of hustle right now, take a breath.
Find ten minutes — even if it’s at the end of the day while you’re lying in bed — and sketch out a plan.

Ask yourself:

• What’s one area I can shift from reaction to intention?

• How can I prepare during slower seasons so I don’t reach burnout in the next one?

Small, intentional steps lead to big peace.

Ready to Be More Intentional?

If this message resonates with you, I’d love to invite you to learn more about our Let’s Go Small Business Retreats — designed for women who want clarity, balance, and space to plan what’s next.

You can fill out the interest form here to get updates on upcoming retreats.

Here’s to working smarter, not harder — and finding joy in the intentional moments.