The Boundary of 'Trying Too Hard'

Hello, I'm Kyo Nakanishi, a web planner.
In my notes, I share tips for solo entrepreneurs and those just starting their own businesses on how to settle their minds and move forward rhythmically, based on my experience in web and entrepreneurial support. ^^

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For those of us who realize we've been trying too hard

Female entrepreneurs are truly sincere and really hard workers.
They don't want to betray anyone, they want to meet expectations,
and they end up doing everything they possibly can.

That's how we end up exceeding our mental capacity before we even realize it, leaving ourselves behind.

And then one day, we suddenly notice.


——Wait? What am I working so hard for again?
——Maybe I haven't been able to smile lately.


The people who try the hardest
are the ones who don't notice when they have exceeded their limits.

That is the scariest part.

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The 'quiet fatigue' you don't notice when you're working hard

Trying too hard involves a 'quiet fatigue' that creeps up on you
rather than obvious symptoms.

・Posting feels like a burden
・Looking at someone else's social media makes you feel suffocated
・You can't even start simple tasks
・Your mind says 'I have to do it,' but your body won't move
・You don't feel rested even after sleeping

These are not signs of 'laziness'.
They are signs that your heart is gently applying the brakes.

The heart doesn't break in a flashy way.
It gets tired quietly and reaches its limit quietly.

That is precisely why only those who notice early
can continue to run in a healthy way.

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What is the difference between 'trying hard' and 'trying too hard'?

■ Trying hard

Actions to nurture your future self
Energy circulates
Connected to the goal you want to achieve

■ Trying too hard

Actions that wear down your current self
Driven by a sense of duty rather than motivation
Dominated by 'I should do this'

Even with the same action,
it becomes something completely different depending on your 'state of mind'.

When you are trying hard,
you feel a sense of satisfaction even if you are tired.

But when you are trying too hard,
no matter how hard you try, you never feel fulfilled.

Being able to notice that difference
is the first step to protecting your boundaries.

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Why work goes well when you let go of 'trying too hard'

Strangely enough, when you let go of trying too hard,
the quality and speed of your work improve.

The reason is simple:
because you become able to properly exert your 'original strength'.

When you are trying too hard,
your mental space is close to zero.
As a result, your intuition dulls, and impatience ruins your judgment.

If you create a little bit of margin,
what is truly necessary will naturally come into view.

Rather than 10 actions taken blindly,
1 action chosen with a settled mind
will move the future much more.

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3 tips to prevent 'trying too hard'

① Include 'recovery time' in your schedule, not just action volume

Hard workers don't put rest time in their schedules.
Treat rest as a 'strategy' rather than a 'blank space'.
By doing so, your energy for working hard will naturally balance out.

② Periodically ask yourself, 'What do I want to cherish while working hard?'

The moment your purpose and your hard work diverge, you become exhausted.
Just by re-questioning whether the axis of your hard work is 'fear' or 'hope',
the direction of your heart will change.

③ Try relying on someone just a little bit

People who try too hard try to 'do everything themselves'.
But if you rely on someone for just one thing, space is created in your heart.
That space will protect your future.

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Finally

The reason you are able to work hard is
because there is 'strength' behind it.

But the reason you end up trying too hard is also
because there is 'kindness' behind it.

You wanted to cherish someone,
you wanted to make your future better,
and that is why you have worked hard.

That feeling itself is not wrong at all.

However, if you break down,
that kindness will lose its destination.

So please, don't just 'work hard',
but also cherish 'how you work hard'.

Your efforts are more than precious enough.