'Hustle hard or slow down'? Mumbai founder ends the debate with a 2-phase formula

The internet loves to debate whether your twenties should be about mindful pacing or full-throttle hustle. But Mumbai-based founder Vedika Bhaia cuts through the noise with a perspective grounded in real experience — and a rocket analogy you won’t forget.

“Think of your career like a rocket launch,” she wrote on LinkedIn. “You can’t break through gravity with a gentle push.” In other words, when you’re starting from scratch, slow and steady just doesn’t cut it. You need intense, focused effort — the kind that gets your momentum off the ground. But that doesn't mean you keep the throttle at max forever.

Vedika knows this from building her own business over four years. Her journey wasn’t about constant hustle or endless rest — it was about knowing when to push and when to pause. Her "blast phases" were all-in stretches of high energy, like growing her agency from zero to seven figures, creating content consistently for over three years, and upskilling during the COVID lockdowns. Those sprints made all the difference.



But just as crucial were her "cruise phases" — taking workcations to recharge, stepping back to avoid burnout, and letting well-built systems keep the business running. According to her, success doesn’t come from choosing hustle or ease. It comes from mastering the timing of both.



Most people either move too slowly and miss their moment, or they go too fast and flame out. Vedika’s advice? Learn to recognise your blast phases. Lean into them when the time is right. And once you’ve broken through, don’t be afraid to cruise.