Finances or Fulfilment

 Finances or Fulfilment

I asked people on my timeline a few days ago a simple question: Which would you choose between money and fulfilment? and to my surprise, everyone's response shocked me. No, not in the way you might think. Every response read "Fulfilment", but here’s the paradox - why does it seem like the majority of people in an actual business is hustling? If fulfilment is the goal, why are so many stuck in the grind with little progress toward true satisfaction?  

Let me share a personal story with you.  

How it all started:

I started doing business before I even realized I was doing it. I was so engrossed in it, very dedicated and determined. But of course, I didn’t have all the knowledge needed to succeed; I just mere pushed forward with persistence.  

Here’s the catch, I was a teenager. At just 14 years old, I unknowingly began my entrepreneurial journey.  

Here’s how it happened:  

Like most moms, my mother (God bless all mothers!) was juggling multiple side hustles, 2 or 3 at that time. One of her businesses involved selling imported goods like shoes, perfumes, and roll-ons from the UK. My uncle would ship these items to Nigeria, and she would take them to her corporate office to market to her colleagues.  

But over time, this hustle became less profitable for her, and she left the items sitting around in the living room for months, unattended.  

One fateful day, as I walked past those items, I decided I couldn’t ignore them anymore. Something in me sparked (LOL) I picked them up and took them to school. Now, you might already know this, perfumes and roll-ons were contraband in secondary school, but back then, I didn’t care or even think about the consequences.  

That’s how the business guru in me was discovered.  

The hustle begins:

I sold, sold, and sold some more. I was thrilled to see people buying from me, and I made a lot of money. But there was a problem: I didn’t understand money management, how to reinvest, or how to build a sustainable business.  

Automatically and sadly, this became my side hustle.  

One thing led to another, and I started selling biscuits, bags, jewellery, socks, face caps, literally anything people requested. I made a name for myself in school as “the business girl.”

But little did I know I was just hustling.  

The Difference Between Hustling and Building a Career:

Dear amazing human (shout out to Sir Ese for this lovely phrase), I know you’ve hustled hard to make ends meet. But the question is: when will you stop? When will you transition from hustling to building a career or a sustainable business?  

Let me tell you something: building a career is far better than hustling.

Why? Because when you build a career, you:  

- Impact lives meaningfully.  

- Create lasting wealth for yourself.  

- Develop a sense of purpose and fulfilment.  

Hustling is short-term. Building a career or business is about playing the long game, it’s about creating something that outlives you.  

Why Many Stay Stuck in the Hustle:

Even when you have a job or a business, these habits can keep you in the hustle cycle:  

1. Using All Your Profits on Lifestyle

   - Many people fall into the trap of spending every kobo they make on living a flashy lifestyle.  

   - Instead, reinvest a significant portion of your profits back into your business. This is how expansion happens.  

2. Failing to Invest in Yourself

   - Growth doesn’t just happen; you need to invest in your mind and skills.  

   - Year after year, you must prioritize self-development. Attend seminars, read books, take courses, and seek mentorship.  

3. Not Having a Clear Plan  

   - Hustling without a strategy is like running on a treadmill—you’re moving, but you’re not going anywhere.  

   - Have a clear vision for where you want to be in the next 5, 10, or 20 years.  

4. Focusing Only on Immediate Gains

   - Hustling often emphasizes short-term wins. A career or business requires patience, consistency, and planning for the future.  

The Transition to Fulfilment:

So how do you move from hustling to fulfilment?  

1. Define Your Purpose

   - What truly fulfils you? Is it helping others, creating art, building businesses, or teaching? Whatever it is, align your goals with that purpose.  

2. Create a Wealth Mindset

   - Wealth isn’t just about money; it’s about freedom, opportunities, and creating value. Learn how to manage your finances wisely.  

3. Work Smarter, Not Harder 

   - Hustling is often about working harder. Building a career or business is about leveraging your time, skills, and resources to create maximum impact.  

4. Seek Mentorship and Guidance

   - Find people who have successfully transitioned from hustling to fulfilment and learn from their journeys.  

In Conclusion:

Hustling might have been necessary to get you started, but it shouldn’t be where you stay. It’s time to move beyond survival mode and start building something meaningful, something that brings true fulfilment.  

Remember, fulfilment is about more than money. It’s about impact, legacy, and purpose. And when you align your finances with fulfilment, you create a life that not only sustains you but also inspires others.  

So, the next time you find yourself caught up in the hustle, ask yourself: Is this leading to fulfilment, or am I just running in circles?  

The choice is yours.