Why Working Harder Isn’t Helping: How We Got Unstuck and Started Making Progress

Greg’s Perspective:

I’ll never forget that season when everything felt like it was crumbling. We were doing everything we thought we were supposed to—waking up early, staying up late, showing up at events, posting on social media—but nothing seemed to click.

It felt like no matter how much effort we put in, we weren’t getting ahead. Every day was a grind, and at the end of it, we’d look at each other and say, Why does it feel like we’re working so hard but not getting anywhere?

Taniesha’s Perspective:

I was tired in a way that sleep couldn’t fix. Every morning, I’d wake up with a list of things to do running through my head before I even got out of bed. There was this constant feeling that if I slowed down, everything would fall apart.

I remember lying awake one night, staring at the ceiling, thinking, I know I want a better life, but I don’t see how we’re going to get there. I wanted to believe we could grow this business into something real, but the weight of everything—money stress, time pressure, and the fear of failing—made it feel impossible.

The worst part was that deep down, I felt like I was the problem. Like if I could just work harder, be smarter, or figure out the “right way” to do things, everything would fall into place.

The Breaking Point

One night, after another long day of trying to juggle it all, Greg and I sat down in the kitchen, exhausted. We were surrounded by half-packed inventory and a to-do list that never seemed to get shorter.

I looked at him and said, “We can’t keep doing this. It’s not working.”

That moment was hard, but it was also the first time we gave ourselves permission to stop trying to do everything and focus on what really mattered.

What Changed Everything

We started asking ourselves some hard but necessary questions:

• What’s actually making us money?

• Where are we wasting time and energy?

• What’s one small change we can make today?

These three questions forced us to look at what we were doing, why we were doing it, and whether it was really helping. But more importantly, they helped us uncover specific mistakes we needed to stop making.

The Small Shifts That Made a Big Difference

1. We Stopped Believing We Had to Do It All

We used to think we had to say yes to everything—every pop-up invite, every trend, every new idea. That mindset led to burnout and a scattered approach.

What not to do:

• Saying yes to every event, even when the audience isn’t right for your products.

• Trying to post on every social media platform and spreading yourself too thin.

• Launching too many new products at once without perfecting the ones that already sell well.

What we did instead:
We focused on a few key things—our best-selling products, the most aligned events, and the platforms where our customers were already active.

The mindset shift: Being “busy” isn’t the same as being productive. Doing less doesn’t mean you’re lazy—it means you’re being strategic.

2. We Faced Our Fear of Letting Go

For months, we held onto tasks, events, and even products that weren’t working because we felt like we had to. Letting go felt like failure, but holding on was costing us time, money, and energy.

What not to do:

• Depending solely on foot traffic at events to drive your sales, without a plan to follow up or build ongoing relationships with customers.

• Attending events without researching the audience or having a clear strategy to make the most of the opportunity.

• Spending hours on tasks like tweaking displays or creating graphics that don’t lead to sales.

What we did instead:
We made every event count by focusing on more than just sales during the day. We started using events to collect contact information, share our story, and build relationships that extended beyond the event itself. This shifted our focus from just making money on the spot to creating long-term customers.

The mindset shift: Events aren’t just about selling—they’re about connection. Use them to plant seeds that will grow into repeat customers and steady sales.

3. We Learned to Trust Ourselves

For too long, we second-guessed every decision—our pricing, our messaging, even the events we chose to attend. We were so afraid of getting it wrong that we were holding ourselves back.

What not to do:

• Constantly lowering your prices because you’re afraid people won’t pay.

• Overthinking every decision to the point of inaction.

• Comparing yourself to other businesses and feeling like you’ll never measure up.

What we did instead:
We started owning our value and trusting our instincts. If something felt right for our business, we did it without hesitation.

The mindset shift: Confidence doesn’t come from knowing all the answers—it comes from taking action and learning along the way.

What Being Stuck Feels Like

If you’re reading this, maybe you know the feeling:

• Anxious: You’re constantly worried about whether all the effort you’re putting in will ever pay off.

• Overwhelmed: You feel like you’re doing everything and still not seeing results.

• Stuck: You’re working hard, but it feels like you’re spinning your wheels instead of moving forward.

We’ve been there, and we want you to know: feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means it’s time to shift your mindset and your approach.

The Takeaway: Small Steps, Big Changes

Here’s what we’ve learned:

1. Focus on What Matters
   Don’t waste energy trying to do it all. Identify the things that bring results and pour your energy into those.

2. Let Go of the Rest
   Be willing to let go of tasks, products, or events that don’t serve your goals. Free yourself to focus on what does.

3. Trust Yourself
   Stop second-guessing every decision. You know your business better than anyone—trust your instincts and take action.

Why This Matters for You

If you’re feeling stuck right now, know that you’re not alone. We’ve been there, and we’ve come out the other side. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what matters and believing in yourself along the way.

If you’re ready to break free from survival mode, grab our free business checklist: Fix What’s Holding You Back Checklist to help you focus, plan, and grow.

👉 Download the Checklist Here

With love and hard-earned lessons,
Taniesha & Greg