Getting My Head Above Water - Slowing Down, Refocusing, and Building with Intention

About six months ago, I found myself waking up at 2 AM, stressing about an endless to-do list. I had lesson plans to finalize, basketball film to break down, emails piling up for my business, and somewhere in the back of my mind, the nagging guilt of not spending enough time with my family. My body was running on fumes, my brain was constantly in overdrive, and for the first time, I asked myself: Is this really sustainable?

The past one to two years have been the craziest season of my life. Between teaching full-time, coaching basketball, and trying to run multiple businesses, I was drowning in responsibilities. On top of that, I was aligning myself with people I didn’t fully agree with—saying yes to things I didn’t want to do, all for the hope of growing my business and maintaining relationships I thought would help me succeed.

Then, Rudy’s closed, forcing me to slow down for the first time in years. At first, I hated it. But now, I realize it was exactly what I needed. Stepping back gave me the space to reflect, and I’ve started to see things more clearly. Here’s what I’m learning about success, pacing, and the people you surround yourself with.

1. The Most Successful People Focus on One Thing

A friend once told me, “The most successful people focus on one thing.” At the time, I nodded along, but deep down, I wasn’t sure I believed it. I’ve always been someone who wants to piece together different ventures—teaching, coaching, business—all in hopes that, together, they’ll build the life I want.

But after stepping back, I see how stretched thin I’ve been. Instead of excelling in one area, I was barely keeping my head above water in several. Now, I’m finally accepting that I need to direct my energy into one thing. That’s why I’m shifting my focus toward making Roots Coffee Company a sustainable business. I don’t have to do everything all at once—what I need is clarity.

2. I Don’t Always Have Control of the Pace

I like to move fast. When I get an idea, I want to execute it immediately. I’ve always felt like if I wasn’t moving at full speed, I was falling behind. But over the past few weeks, after a lot of prayer and reflection, I’ve realized that progress doesn’t always come from pushing harder—it sometimes comes from waiting.

One of the best examples of this has been my conversations with an old friend. He takes his time with decisions, doesn’t rush responses, and often pushes meetings back just to let ideas marinate. At first, it drove me crazy. But now, I see the wisdom in it. That’s why I’m trying to embrace patience—trusting that the right opportunities will unfold at the right time, rather than forcing things to happen on my schedule.

3. Who You Align Yourself With Is Invaluable

Over the years, I’ve worked with some incredible people—and some I regret ever trusting. But the biggest mistake I’ve made is aligning myself with someone who seemed like they were in my corner, only to realize they were only in it for themselves.

Recently, I challenged someone on a business decision I felt was unethical. His response? “I’m an opportunist. I’m in this for myself and don’t really care who I hurt along the way.” That sentence is seared into my brain. He tried to soften it by saying he wanted to “build people up” along the way, but I knew the damage had already been done.

That moment made me rethink who I choose to do business with. Relationships—whether in business or life—should be built on trust and shared values. That’s why moving forward, I’m making a conscious effort to align myself with people who genuinely care about others, not just their own success.

Moving Forward 

I went into December 2024 in full survival mode—doing too much, moving too fast, and spreading myself too thin. But after two months of slowing down and gaining clarity, I finally feel ready for what’s next.

For me, that means eliminating distractions and narrowing my focus. Instead of chasing multiple ventures at once, I’m committing to Roots Coffee Company as my primary focus. I want to build it into something sustainable—something that doesn’t just feel like another project but a true, thriving business. That means refining our direct-to-consumer strategy, creating meaningful content to engage with our customers, and making intentional business decisions that align with my long-term vision.

But even more so, I need to accept that in two months or two years, that vision could change. And that’s okay. I’m learning that being willing to adapt and shift course when necessary may be even more impactful than trying to do everything at once. The goal isn’t just to build something—it’s to build something that fits the life I want to create. That requires focus, but it also requires flexibility.

So what’s the plan now? Honestly, I don’t have everything figured out yet, but I know this: I’m done spreading myself thin in hopes that something will stick. I’m choosing to build one thing with focus, discipline, and purpose—while also giving myself the grace to pivot when needed. And for the first time in a long time, that feels like the right move.

What About You?

What’s one side hustle or business idea you’ve been considering? Drop it in the comments or DM me on Instagram—I’d love to hear about it!

IG: @rootscoffeecompany