Rebuilding From the Ground Up: Practical Next Steps and Mental Shift

I’ve been in recovery post cancer surgery.

As stated previously, this is a time of reflection, pause and rebirth for me, as I contemplate my future steps in life and business.

I have been feeling better, slowly, and day after day I feel the urge to do… less and less of the hustling.

I feel that life has granted me a pause.

I sense that this pause is fundamental to my happiness and fulfilment.

And while I pause the doing…

The pondering, meditating and musing is going on full throttle.

I’ve been thinking. A lot. In the background.

While my body recovers and little by little mends and heals and gets back in shape, I’ve been feeling like a new person is getting birthed, "below" the surface.

I can feel how I need to acknowledge the need for self-love and grace during this transformative period.

And rest.

So much rest.

By the way, I wanted to remind you (and myself!!) that resting is a radical act of self-love in a world that glorifies exhaustion as an achievement…

Anyway…

Most of my musings have been around Success and Failure.

What they mean, to me, to the world in general…

And of course, I mean my world, Western civilization… which generally refers to the cultural, social, political, and economic systems that developed primarily in Europe and later expanded to other regions, influenced by principles from ancient Greece and Rome, Judeo-Christian ethics, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and democratic ideals.

I have no pretensions to understanding or philosophising about the world in general, which is far too vast and complex. I'm speaking from my biased point of view, the only one I can fully assume and understand, prejudices included.

So, once again, I’ve made up my mind to write a series of posts about that…

Success. And Failure.

Through the small end of my spyglass… From my very narrow perspective.

Which is the only one I have.

Title of the series: Beyond the Metrics: Finding Fulfilment and Freedom in Failure and Reinvention

And, as usual, I believe my reflections might come in handy for you too… Let me know.

This exploration of success and failure was shared in four parts, all through December and more. This fourth and final article is about Redefining Failure and the practical steps we can use to change our outcomes.

If you're interested in exploring failure and rebirth, check out this other post for instance: https://isayabelle.com/what-failure-feels-like-when-youre-in-it

Letting Go of Old Systems and Embracing Change

For the last six years, I’ve been following the same business strategies, hoping that each year would bring me closer to the success I envision. Yet, every year feels like a repeat of the last, with minimal results. If you keep doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results… well, you know how the saying goes. It’s time for a change. A big one.

I’m tired of the traditional business models that have never quite fit me—hiring employees, managing HR, and following the rigid structures that seem to be the norm in the business world. It’s not for me. I’ve realized that I crave creative freedom. The freedom to make something on a whim—like an oracle deck or a book—without worrying about the logistics of running a full-fledged team or following someone else’s rules.

For me, success no longer looks like grinding. I don’t want to feel trapped in a cycle of endless tasks and management. I want a life that’s flexible, spontaneous, and rooted in creativity. I want to create what feels right for me in the moment, not based on a blueprint or checklist of expectations.

So, I’m letting go of the “hustle harder” mentality. I’m rejecting the idea that success can only come through sheer force and constant productivity. Instead, I’m leaning into a new approach: smaller, more manageable goals. I’m focusing on creating in cycles that feel natural to me, like the six-week cycles of the pagan year. These shorter, more intentional bursts of energy allow me to stay engaged and inspired without feeling overwhelmed or burnt out.

I’m not here to force something that doesn’t fit. I’m here to honor my own rhythm, my own process. This shift isn’t about rejecting growth or ambition—it’s about redefining what growth looks like. It’s about aligning my actions with what I value most: freedom, creativity, and joy. And if that means stepping away from the old ways of doing business, then so be it. It’s time to trust myself and embrace change. Only then will I truly be free to create, to explore, and to live on my own terms.

If you know me at all, you know that I’m all about the magic of mixing practical and spiritual energy. So, as I move forward, I’m embracing a new approach to my goals. The big, long-term ambitions—like the elusive €1 million goal—no longer feel like they’re in alignment with where I am now. I’ve realized that trying to chase those massive, abstract targets only leaves me feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from the present moment. It’s time to shift my focus to something more manageable, something that feels doable on a day-to-day basis. A €5K month, for instance, is a tangible goal I can work toward without the pressure of perfection. It feels realistic, yet challenging enough to keep me motivated.

The biggest change I’m making is shifting my mindset. I’m letting go of the obsession with constant self-improvement and the idea that I need to always be “working on” something. There’s power in resting, in enjoying the moments in between the work, in living life for the sake of life itself. I’m learning that balance is just as important as hustle, and that I can make progress without sacrificing my well-being in the process.

I’m choosing to work less, enjoy more, and stop tying my worth to how much I’m doing. This mental shift is the most liberating part of it all. Instead of measuring my success by the number of hours worked or the scale of my achievements, I’m focusing on the quality of my life. I’m reclaiming my time and my energy, no longer feeling the need to prove myself to anyone—especially not to myself.

Breaking Down Big Goals into Manageable 6-Week Cycles

One of the hardest lessons I've learned is that the traditional yearly goal-setting thing? It’s overrated. Sure, it’s great to have an overarching vision, but breaking that vision down into shorter, more manageable cycles is a game changer.

So I’m starting to plan my goals around shorter, six-week cycles. It’s a method that feels more in tune with my natural rhythm, a more flexible way of moving forward that keeps things fresh and engaging. I’ve always been drawn to cycles—whether it’s the phases of the moon, the rhythms of the seasons, or the pagan wheel of the year. There’s something about these smaller, more deliberate periods of time that allow me to focus without feeling like I’m setting myself up for failure. They provide enough space for creativity and reflection, yet they’re short enough that I don’t lose sight of progress. And the energy does shift every six weeks anyway!

By focusing on six-week cycles, I can prioritize what's most important without burning out. Six weeks is enough time to see progress but short enough that if things go sideways, I can pivot quickly without feeling like I’ve ruined the whole year. Here’s how it works in practice:

-Step 1: Decide on the overarching goal or project for the next six weeks (launch a new offering, revamp a service, hit a specific revenue goal, etc.).

-Step 2: Break it into weekly tasks that are specific and manageable (not vague “work on business stuff” goals).

-Step 3: Create clear checkpoints and mini-deadlines to ensure progress.

-Step 4: Review at the end of each cycle: What worked? What didn’t? What’s the next step?

The beauty of the six-week cycle is that it creates a sense of urgency without the dread of long-term pressure. And the feeling of being aligned with the rhythm of the Earth is amazing! Plus, the small wins along the way are a constant reminder that you're moving forward.

Work-Life Balance: Embracing the ‘Non-Hustle’ Vibe

If the last few years taught me anything, it's that work-life balance isn’t a myth—it’s a necessity. In fact, I’ve become allergic to the word “hustle” at this point. Don't get me wrong, I still work hard, but I've learned that rest is just as important as work. It's the only way to avoid burnout and show up as my best self.

Here are a few ways I’ve recalibrated my life to ensure that balance is at the forefront:

-Setting Boundaries: I’ve stopped answering work emails at midnight. Shocking, right? Turns out, everything can wait until morning. Prioritizing my downtime has allowed me to recharge and think clearly, which has had a huge impact on my productivity during working hours.

-Scheduling Rest and Play Time: Yes, I schedule breaks in my calendar. And moments of play, of "just doing that for fun", like learning music on Duolingo. It might sound ridiculous, but it’s essential. Without scheduled rest or play, I’d just keep working until I hit that inevitable “crash” point.

-Daily “Unplugged” Time: No phones, no emails, no work. It’s my time to simply be. Whether it’s reading, taking a walk, or just staring into space—this is sacred time for me to recharge.

Shifting from Hustle to Ease, Flow, and Alignment

Perhaps the most challenging shift was learning to let go of the constant push. For so long, I believed that hustle was the only way to get ahead in business. It turns out, ease, flow, and alignment are much better guiding principles.

I’ll be the first to admit, this was hard. We’re conditioned to think that success requires us to be perpetually busy and always on the move. But here’s the truth: ease doesn’t mean laziness—it means working smarter, not harder. I have been saying that for years. Did I really practice that? Nope. Still grinding. Here’s how I’ve finally embraced this shift:

-Letting Go of Perfectionism: For me, perfectionism was a form of procrastination disguised as hard work. I’ve had to learn to embrace imperfection and trust that progress is enough, even if it's messy.

-Aligning with My Values: I no longer accept clients, projects, or opportunities that don’t align with my core values. This has been one of the most freeing decisions I’ve made. Working with people who respect my boundaries and share my vision makes all the difference.

-Flow Over Force: I’ve stopped forcing things that aren’t meant to be. Whether it’s a project or a partnership, if something feels off or out of alignment, I let it go. I trust that ease and flow will bring the right things at the right time.

These mental shifts and practical steps are changing the game for me. It’s no longer about constant busyness, but about being intentional with my time and energy. It’s about choosing ease over hustle, and finding joy in the process rather than just the outcome. It’s about trusting that the right things will come at the right time—and if they don’t, I’m okay with that too.

So, as I look ahead, I’m not measuring my success by how much I can “do” but by how much I can be. By embracing a balance of work, play and rest, by creating systems that support my well-being, and by staying in alignment with my values, I’m building a business that serves me—not the other way around.

In this new chapter, it’s about ease, flow, and alignment. It’s about trusting that by focusing on what truly matters—creativity, fulfillment, peace and joy—the rest will follow. The journey is no longer about achieving some far-off, elusive success; it’s about living fully in each moment, knowing that I’m already enough.

In the end, this journey isn’t just about reaching a destination—it’s about embracing the process of growth, healing, and transformation. By redefining failure and success, letting go of old systems, and focusing on smaller, meaningful steps, I’m learning to live with more grace and intention. Success, I’ve realized, is not about the finish line; it’s about how I choose to show up for myself along the way. And that’s enough.

I believe that is all for today.

I would be so happy to hear from you.

Thank you in advance for your comment.

See you soon, for my next online adventures!

Until then I send you love, light and gratitude.

Isaya

PS: On a very practical way, I am focusing on my healing, so there is not much happening in my business world… I’ll be writing as usual, of course, and maybe creating some podcast episodes… but on the whole, I might be AFK (away from keyboard) for some time… I’ll keep you posted when something new happens! New projects are starting to brew!

I also do have less money coming in. One way to help and support me is to actually buy something from me!

You can support my journey by exploring transformational online programs designed to connect you with your inner goddess.

https://isayabelle.com/the-magic-goddess-online-programs

or here: https://isayabelle.com/tech-goddess-academy-2

PPS: Please bear in mind that I am reclaiming my journey and that my solutions and my path are mine and mine only. They are not intended to be a guide or a list of advice, a handbook or manual or any kind, least of all medical. This is just me sharing my journey.