I was talking with my own coach, and a realization surfaced for me. It’s something that is so familiar and normal, that I don’t often highlight it.
Business can be incredibly fun and joyful.
When I think back over the last 22 years of being in business for myself, there are so many moments of joy and love and fun. Many of them aren’t big moments, but little ones.
Like when a client told me, “I know you mentioned this before, but <famous name> suggested I do this thing, and I think I want to.” And I paused, then replied, “Sure, when <famous name> says it…” and we both erupted into laughter.
Or when I taught a webinar, and I’m crying in front of everyone because of the emotion and heart-connection, and there’s so much beauty even in a virtual room.
Or when I was writing a promotional sequence, and just feeling the beauty in the work, and allowing myself to be inspired in connecting with folks. And a sense of profound satisfaction in writing it.
And yes, the freedom. Feeling tired while fasting for Ramadan, and taking a nap on the couch in the next room because I could. Or being able to take my boys out to breakfast every Tuesday since they were tiny, because I’m in charge of my schedule. And being able to be there after school for them, or take a break during the work day to bake bread.
I don’t have to sell you on the lifestyle… because one, that’s kind of gross, and two, you probably already have a sense of it, or maybe you’re already living it.
There are absolutely struggles in business, of course there are. And each of them can be overcome, worked through, walked through or, sometimes, side-stepped entirely.
In our monthly business focus planning call in our Learning Community, I asked folks in the community to ask, willing to be surprised, how much their business wanted to develop, to grow, to be a support. And some were moved to tears by what they realized.
Your business wants to succeed the way a plant wants to grow. Your business, your heart, your clients don’t want you to just slog along. Sometimes there is a slog, absolutely. But not the majority of the time.
I want to invite you to savor the joy of your business. To notice how much there is care and love and fun and laughter. Because it’s your business, you can really sink into that.
Take a moment, if you can, right now.
- Ask to be shown the heart of your business, separate from you. Be with it awhile.
- Ask the heart of your business, willing to be surprised, about what it wants for itself and for you.
- Remember three times you had fun, joy, lightness in your business. Savor them.
This can be as deep or as light an exercise as you want. You’re just reading this in your inbox, and I’m sure other things are waiting on you. But you could take just 120 seconds or so, and not let this be a full day workshop. Taste the heart of your business, the desire it has to grow, and the lightness and joy in your own business.
Let that be nourishment for you now.
With love,
Mark Silver, M.Div.
Heart of Business Inc.
Every act of business can be an act of love.
Even Business Models can be fun
I know, I know… spreadsheets are involved… but whoa, when people see what their business can do without nearly as much work, when the numbers show it to them, those spreadsheets are fun!
And, figuring out offers feels like a slog… until those offers are helping you avoid having a cookie-cutter business that feels strange and painful, and instead the offers help you lean into the things you love most, and deliver most easily, and you feel excited about your business.
The combination of strengths, and gifts, and financial ease… that’s a recipe for lightness and fun, for sure.
And getting there with a small group, with expert guidance…. Right?
Please join me, May 3, for our Business Model (Fun!) Intensive. Take a look. Ask questions, Join up if it’s right for you.
