How I went from Type-A to Type-B+, without sacrificing my ambition or success
I’ve been wanting to write about this topic for a while, but have struggled to find the right words to describe my evolution from a Type-A hyper-achiever to what I describe as “Type-B+” over the past few years.
I’ve been hesitant to share this out loud, because there is a common assumption that we when we are not hustling, we are not ambitious. Check out any of the recent Gen Z TikTok trends on the #softgirl or #lazygirl life if you want evidence of this.
The assumption is rooted in evidence, as for so many of us, hustling has been a proven way to achieve the success we desire.
However, I ardently believe that we can maintain our ambition and success without having to hustle for it. That we can create lives with more flow, intuition and trust instead of hustle, striving and grinding, without a trade-off in results.
Let’s flashback to 2021. I was the textbook definition of Type-A: self-directed, motivated, hard-working and competitive (sound familiar 😉?). I had just gotten promoted, was completing my coach certification and training for a marathon. I am honestly not sure what my ambition was, beyond wanting to be successful in my new role and make the most of the year post-2020 lockdown. I was so used to working hard, that I sort of unconsciously fell into this full load.
I had a rigid routine that I designed solely to enable my goals. Within a typical week, I would work 55 hrs, fit in another 5-10 hrs of coach training, do intense cardio 5-6 days and eat a lot of vegetables. I relied on a significant amount of mental discipline. Seriously, I used my mind (and coffee) to over-power any fatigue or resistance to the pace I was maintaining.
Things that I didn’t have a lot of in my life? Space, pleasure and flexibility.
Fast-forward to 2023. I have more ambition and clarity on what success looks like. I have deep desire and motivation to make my coaching business wildly successful as the bigger my platform is, the more women I can impact deeply. But I’m pursuing that ambition radically differently.
I am working very hard, but hustling and striving? No.
I am truly more Type-B, leaning into my creativity, feeling less stressed and practicing not feeling as much urgency. This is something I never thought would happen (or that I would allow).
I have a loose business plan for the next year, but put as much stock in my intuition as I do data. I am in tune with my body and allow myself to rest (!) when needed, instead of pounding out more miles. I know that I'm better at my job when I have time to breath and think, and so create the space to do so.
The most important part? I trust that I'm going to be successful without hustling. In fact, I believe I will be more successful because I am not hustling. I'm able to be more creative, present and sustained.
These are the biggest shifts I've made to go from Type-A to to Type-B+:
Tuned into my body: I used to live 100% in my head. The most important change I made was connecting to my body, so I can feel more ease day-to-day and tap into my intuition. Instead of sticking to a rigid workout and meal plan, I ask myself what I want and do that. I compliment my cardio with yoga and dance – classes that literally make me move in fluid, intuitive ways instead of grinding out miles. I let myself rest more.
Chose flow, over structure: My life is “flexibility within a framework” these days. I have a loose structure with work blocks and client calls, and allow myself to flow within that. This enables me to do my best work when I'm excited about it instead of forcing myself to complete the next task on my to-do list. Sometimes I go with the urge to write first thing in the am, instead of exercising. Or I'll do admin, instead of the writing I had planned.
Prioritized trust, over control: In the past, if I had a goal, I would execute a precise plan and then go above-and-beyond to achieve it. Now, I spend almost as much time on my mindset as I do executing, trusting that I'll get to the right outcome. An example of this business development. My old self would have hustled and done all the things. My current self connects with people and trusts that the right people will chose to work with me.
You are probably thinking: "this all sounds great Cydnee, but you own your own business. There is no way I can do this in my fast-paced, hyper-charged corporate environment.”
Yes, being my own boss is definitely helpful. But you can start to cultivate more trust, intuition and flow within any environment. Try:
Nourish your body: ask yourself what you want or crave physically and then do it
Move intuitively: put on some music and have a dance party, or chose the exercise class that allows you to move fluidly
Create space: get in the habit of scheduling time during your work week or weekend to put your phone down, breath and let your mind wander
Harness your energy: it won't always be possible, but when it is, do the work you have energy and excitement for in the moment
Practice trust: if you're going for a new role or promotion, lean in and make it clear why you're right for the role and then lean back and trust that if its right, it will happen
Moving from Type-A to Type-B+ won't happen overnight, but my hope is that as you downshift, you'll feel more ease, flow and sustainability in your life. And, I promise that you'll be able to be as ambitious and successful as you want to be.
