4 Steps to Real Guidance

I’ve been here a thousand times… feeling uncertain about what to do next in my business.  Wondering what the answer is or what to do.

As I’ve learned here at Heart of Business over the years, I know my next step is to turn to the Divine in Remembrance.

Having practiced this repeatedly, I find that I sometimes feel a little let down – you know… the action still isn’t really clear.  Or, I felt so inspired in my Remembrance to go down one path over another, and then it didn’t work out.  Maybe the guidance was wrong?  Or, I feel okay in my heart, but as soon as I open my eyes and get back to work, everything seems the same… I still have zero answers and don’t know what to do or what action to take.

Usually, in these situations, what happened is that I forgot one very important thing.

Guidance has more to do with relationship than action.

This is a reminder that is easy to forget because we’re needy – we need to do the right thing so we can get what we need from our business!  And so, into Remembrance we go, asking the Divine to show us the best step to take, the next right action, to guide us to the decision that makes the most sense.  What do I do now?  What’s next?  Where shall I go now?

Do you relate to those questions?

I know these questions intimately because I forget often.  If you forget too, don’t be harsh with yourself.  It’s why we need reminders.

So, how can we be in Remembrance, seeking guidance in a way that really works?

1. Remember Source

When we’re lost, confused or searching – we often begin looking to be found, the become clear or to discover the answer.  Nothing wrong with this, but it’s the slow, difficult route along our path.

What we are really needing in these moments is to allow the lost, confused or unknown state of being to draw us close to the Divine.  It’s in these moments that we need to Remember that the Divine is in and around us, more than anything.  Approaching the Divine in our hearts, in our neediness and ignorance – that’s step number one.  Remember that Source, along with all that “Source” is, is available to you.  Rest in the Oneness.

2. Get Specific 

Very rarely are we totally lost – in everything.  It can certainly feel that way, but it’s not true.  Isn’t it usually one or two specific things you’re really confused about?

It’s important to get really specific. What it is exactly that you’re seeking guidance about?

For example: Maybe you’re really torn up about needing more clients!  Is that the specific issue, or is there something else; something deeper?  Very often what we initially look at is the outcome we’re looking for which we believe will alleviate our troubles? Seeking guidance about an outcome is counterproductive.

So what’s really going on?  Maybe you are feeling scared about being provided for.  Perhaps you aren’t getting clients because you have been avoiding some marketing task you hate.  Look deeper. Look for the source of what’s really going on – and allow yourself to get very specific.

Then, allow yourself to really sense into your relationship with this specific thing.  Look at your experience with it – how you feel emotionally, thoughts that come up, how it feels in your body.  It’s okay to let yourself feel it.  Don’t try to figure out what to do next, or to change how you feel – just notice what’s true for you.

3. Explore the Qualities

Once we get specific, you want to ask, “What would be the quality of a healthy relationship with this thing?”  What quality is your heart yearning for in this situation, so that you can be in a healthier relationship with this specific situation?  Be careful: the quality may not make you feel “good” about the situation, but one which will help nourish you in your relationship with it.  Ask to experience the quality you’re longing for.  Ask for the quality to bring healing to your relationship with the situation.  Take as long as you need in this step – it’s so important.

4. Notice where your heart is drawn

At this point, hopefully, your heart is nourished, and you’ve had some healing with your relationship regarding this specific thing you’re working with in Remembrance.  Allow your awareness to notice what your heart is attracted to doing from this new, nourished, healthier relationship. With a nourished heart, what is your heart pulling you to do?  What actions or steps feel aligned with this healthy relationship?  This is where guidance is – what your heart is attracted towards when you are in right relationship.

You may notice, when looking at these four steps, how easy it can be to skip one, two and three and jump right to four.  And, without one through three, we miss out on the process to get into a healthier relationship with our specific situation (if we’ve even identified it specifically), and it’s no wonder that we might feel confused about what to do.

Our journey in business is not about using the Divine to generate a healthy business, but walking our path in business as a way to explore our relationship with the Divine.

What’s a situation you’re facing today that you can use these steps to explore more deeply?  What guidance are you needing?

I encourage you to engage in some intentional practice using these steps, and I invite you to share your experience below in a comment.

With loving care,

Steve Mattus