This Isn’t “Succession”—You’re Allowed to Be Whole

Cultivating happiness and resilience in a world that tells you to leave your personal life at home.

By Michelle Silva, The Savvy CMO

Photo by Michelle Silva

When life throws a curveball (or five), how we show up for ourselves determines whether we spiral, stumble forward, or rise stronger. As someone who has weathered a few storms personally and professionally, I can tell you: happiness isn’t something we chase; it’s something we cultivate. And resiliency? That’s the quiet strength that keeps us going when the sparkle wears off and the hard days show up.

In this fast-paced, deadline-driven, often emotionally taxing world of entrepreneurship and leadership, resiliency isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s essential. And happiness? That’s the nutrient-rich soil that allows our growth to be sustainable and joyful—not just productive.

This isn’t about marketing strategy or KPIs—it’s about being whole. It’s about showing up as your full self, not just the “professional” version the world says is acceptable. We are not machines. We are not compartments. We are layered, feeling, thinking humans who carry our stories into every space we walk into.

Today, I want to explore the connection between happiness and resiliency, how emotional intelligence is the bridge between the two, and why it's so important to actively practice these qualities if we want to thrive long-term—not just in business, but in life.

The Myth of Constant Hustle

We’re often taught that success comes from doing more, faster, and better. And while ambition has its place, the glorification of hustle has left many of us burned out, anxious, and disconnected from ourselves.

If you've ever thought, "I'll rest when the project’s done" or "I'll be happy when I reach this milestone," you’re not alone. But here's the truth: waiting for the perfect moment to feel joy or rest is like waiting for a marketing algorithm to stop changing. It won't happen. Happiness isn’t the reward for success. It’s the foundation that supports it.

That’s where the 10 Days of Happiness initiative comes in. It’s a free, science-backed, research-based program designed to help people build habits that support lasting well-being. I love that it’s rooted in small, doable steps—the kind of shifts we can all make to feel better day by day.

Some takeaways from the program that really resonate with my own philosophy include:

• Awareness: Recognizing what makes you feel good and what drains you is key to sustainable energy.

• Gratitude: Taking a moment each day to reflect on what is working builds emotional strength.

• Connection: Prioritizing meaningful relationships is more powerful than any productivity hack.

• Movement and Sleep: Our bodies aren't machines. They're messengers. Care for them accordingly. And, anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE my sleep!

This isn’t just feel-good fluff. Research shows that people who prioritize these practices are more resilient when challenges arise.

What Is Resiliency, Really?

Resiliency isn’t about powering through. It’s about bouncing back—with integrity.

When life knocks the wind out of us, the resilient response isn’t to pretend we’re fine. It’s to pause, acknowledge the setback, take a breath, and then choose the next step from a place of grounded clarity.

This takes emotional intelligence. Again, if you know me, you know EI (Emotional Intelligence) is baked into everything I do, teach, and believe in. EI gives us the tools to:

• Regulate our reactions

• Listen to what our emotions are teaching us

• Reframe setbacks as feedback

• Set boundaries that support our mental health

In other words, EI is the glue between happiness and resiliency. Without it, we’re either emotionally numb or overwhelmed. With it, we can navigate the messy middle with a little more grace.

Being a Business Woman Means Being a Whole Woman

I want to be clear: this isn’t just about marketing, launches, or leadership roles. This is about how we live as business women—as humans.

It’s about showing up in our fullness. Not the edited, compartmentalized version that fits into polite conversation or polished bios. But the whole truth: grief and joy, ambition and exhaustion, confidence and doubt. All of it.

Because the more we deny pieces of ourselves, the more disconnected we become—from our purpose, our power, and our potential.

And the more we allow all of ourselves into the room, the more resilient we become.

Thriving Requires Whole-Person Strategy

This is what I mean when I say The Savvy CMO approach is both heart-led and strategic. We don’t separate the business from the human. We build systems and lives that honor both.

Some practical ways to implement this whole-person approach:

• Schedule white space in your calendar. Not every minute needs to be monetized.

• Reflect weekly: What energized you? What depleted you? Adjust accordingly.

• Get outside. A walk or a bit of sunshine can shift your entire day.

• Name your wins. Every step forward counts.

• Say "no" more often. Let your "yes" be rooted in alignment, not obligation.

And if you're leading a team or mentoring others, model this. Let your wholeness be an invitation for theirs.

The Real ROI of Happiness

I know "happiness" can feel like a fluffy word, especially in a world obsessed with metrics. But the data is clear: happier people are more productive, creative, and resilient.

• Teams with higher well-being scores collaborate better and stay longer.

• Leaders who model self-care build deeper trust.

• Organizations that value emotional wellness perform better—period.

When you invest in your happiness and resilience, you’re not being self-indulgent. You’re building a sustainable life. You’re building something that lasts.

And I’ll say it again for the folks in the back: you do not have to burn out to succeed!

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Too Much. You’re Not Too Soft. You’re Whole.

Growth doesn’t happen in spite of rest, reflection, or joy. It happens because of it.

Happiness and resiliency aren’t accidental. They’re cultivated, over time, through intentional choices and compassionate habits. And they are the foundation of soul-aligned success.

So, as you move through your day, your work, your dreams, ask yourself:

• What does happiness look like for me today?

• How can I support my resilience without numbing or bypassing?

• What small step can I take to nourish myself in the midst of doing BIG things?

You deserve to thrive. Not in some future version of your life. Right now!

Let that be your strategy.

With heart and resilience,

Michelle Silva

The Savvy CMO

Grounded in Growth. Profit with Purpose.