How to Stop Striving and Escape Hustle Culture

If you’ve been in the Jenny Clair Music community, you know I’m all about faith and music. That’s the heart behind my original music as well as the instruction I provide to aspiring singers and pianists. 

I create a lot of content about vocal techniques, practice psychology, and my own music. But from time to time, I pause to share bits of my inner dialogue with you. That’s what we’re doing today.

Let’s talk about striving. 

I’m an Enneagram 8. That means I’m wired to get stuff done. I’m compulsively moving toward the next goal…always. 

At times, that’s my greatest strength. I’m driven. Determined. I’ve got the hustle down.

But that’s also my downfall. I’m not good at resting. I’m not good at pacing myself. I’m not good at being patient with myself or setting realistic expectations. 

For me, the question has changed from: “How can I be more productive?” to “How can I avoid burnout without quitting altogether?” and “How can I help people without fixating my heart on their approval?”

Am I tirelessly devoted or just…tired? Am I making headway…or am I just headed for my next episode of burnout? 

These are the questions.

Because yeah, I’m really good at striving. I’m guessing you are too.

And this is not a good thing. 

---

What does striving mean, anyway?

Notice the words: "make great efforts" ... "struggle" ... "fight"

I have to ask... Is that God's design for my life? For your life? That we fight through it? That we struggle through it?

What about "those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Isn't that the way we're supposed to live?

The NASB Translation states Psalm 46:10 as: "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

So are we supposed to just rest? What about work?

Colossians 3:23 says: ”Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

Like the bee, we are purposed and designed by God to move with purpose.

What does the Bible say about rest?

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:9-11

---

Two things are clear:

1. We are called to trust the Lord and rest in Him.

2. The Christian life is also about obedience and work, and obedience often requires taking action in some way.

There is work to be done. Each one of us is uniquely created to do it. Christians are to be people of rest, and people of action. 

I'm a wife-musician-homeschool mama of two boys 5 and under. I'm a singer, songwriter, private music instructor, and content creator. That's a long list, and I do feel it every day. But these are all things I genuinely feel called to do.

That's why morning after morning I've asked the Lord: “How in the world do I do all the work I'm called to do, without striving?” 

Without wrestling. Without racing against the algorithm or fixating on what others think of me. Without scheduling God’s divine appointments right out of my life.

That's the question I've been asking

---

I encountered a big disappointment recently that prepared me to understand the answer...

I was close to accepting a Worship Director position for a Church. I had done short-term work there for a bit, and I truly did my best work. I did what was asked of me.

Genuine worship took place. Church leadership was pleased. Some members of the congregation were pleased. But others were not. And I didn’t get the position. 

I had worked really hard. I had obeyed God.

Still, I did not have the unanimous approval of people.

And this is the scripture that encouraged me:

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Galatians 1:10

I think seeking approval is a part of our makeup as humans.

I think working hard is a part of our design as well.

That’s why I’m convinced that the million-dollar question when it comes to striving is: “WHOSE approval am I seeking? And WHO am I working hard and striving for?”

Who am I striving to please?

I can write music for the approval of man. I can post online for the comments and likes. I can build a business with the intent of looking impressive. I can plan a worship service just hoping to make people pleased with me. All of that is striving.

Or...

I can write music because I really want to honor God. I can post online with the hope of helping people. I can work to build a business and brand well because I know it’s the platform I’ll need to do the work God has made me to do. I can plan a worship service with the sole purpose of worshiping and honoring Him. All of that…is obedience. 

Same external actions, perhaps. Both scenarios involve hard work and dedication. Both require that I take action. But one moves me toward myself, toward man’s approval, and ultimately toward exhaustion and dissatisfaction. And the other moves me toward Him, toward growing His Kingdom, toward His strength, and ultimately toward His rest. 

It changes the way I feel on the inside. 

Maybe that’s what He means in Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

---

My question to you is: Are You Striving?

If you're working hard at something, that may be exactly what God has purposed you to do in this moment!

But if you're racing for the approval of people, you're striving.

And it's time to return to a heart posture that's resting in His strength.

---

Hey, I'm Jenny. I write music, perform, and teach. I help singers break through vocal barriers, rock auditions, and become one-take vocalists. I love making great singing easier and more attainable than you thought it could be. This blog is my place to dig into vocal technique and unpack what it takes to connect and communicate honestly with an audience. And this is my place to talk honestly with you as well.

Everything about my musicianship and teaching is outside-the-box, instinctive, and fun. That's what makes this such a great place to hang out. I invite you to stay a while, check out my music, and see how this blog can impact your vocal skills and refresh your love for performing.

Happy Singing, and take care.