Credit: Dhilung Kira
2011 has been the best year yet in my business, my third consecutive year of greater than 35% growth. (Insert happy celebration music here.)
However, the successes of 2011 went far deeper than how much money I made. In fact, I believe that these deeper changes allowed the financial prosperity to show up while experiencing more fun and ease than ever before.
Because I want to support you in having more prosperity, fun and ease, I give you The 3 Most Exciting Success Lessons I Learned in 2011:
Intentions are more important than strategies.
Spiritual teachers throughout the ages have taught that what we hold in our heart of hearts is the largest contributor to what shows up in our lives. In business, it’s more powerful than our marketing plans, project management schedules or quarterly projections.
Several years ago, I borrowed a practice from a colleague of mine of choosing one word to represent my business intentions each year. My word for 2011 has been MOMENTUM. The results have been remarkable. I highly recommend this practice for anyone wanting to grow a spirit based business.
The antidote to overwhelm is grace.
Though it’s a little embarrassing to admit, I spent a good portion of my first 2 years in business in overwhelm mode. More recently, when momentum would pick up in my business I’d tend to slip into overwhelm. Early in 2011, a coach of mine worked with me to “let go of the regulator”. The regulator is a part of large, older car engines that kept them from going too fast. After doing the deep work to dialogue with the part of me that felt like I needed to stay small to stay safe, I eased into a new reality.
What I found there greatly surprised me. On the other side of that old protection mechanism was a deeper sense of grace than I’ve ever felt. As I’ve cultivated that feeling, I molted my remaining overwhelm patterns like a snake outgrowing it’s skin. (I’m hearing James Brown singing, “It feels GOOOOOOOD!”). I’m able to be present and have FUN in a thriving business.
FUN is a powerful business strategy.
Speaking of fun, I decided to let my natural tricksterness (yes, I made that up 
) out to play more in my business in 2011. And my income grew larger than ever. Is that a coincidence?
Richard Branson (of Virgin Airlines fame) doesn’t think so. The primary message in his new book is “You’re taking business too seriously”. You can read about it here. While I’m still learning about how to skillfully integrate fun into a spirit based business, I’m more comfortable with this than ever. And I’m ready for more FUN in 2012.
These are my 3 most exciting success lesson of 2011. What were your biggest learnings about success in 2011? I’d love to hear about them in the form of a comment below.
I'm a wisdom motivated coach who helps spiritual entrepreneurs grow their businesses with integrity and ease. My approach combines innovative tools to help you connect with and language your wisdom and then share it using proven conscious business and relationship marketing practices.
Thanks Paul.
I’m pleased that your life has evolved during 2011 and that your business has reflected that.
I think that the spiritual approach to business will grow, especially among online entrepreneurs.
Thanks also for your open and transparent approach and I wish you well for 2012.
Steve
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your comment. I love how my life keeps evolving in such delicious ways. And, honestly, the reason I share this stuff is because I want other spiritual entrepreneurs to understand HOW it changed so they try out the principles in their own lives and businesses.
Re: “I think that the spiritual approach to business will grow, especially among online entrepreneurs” I agree Steve. In the several years I’ve been doing this work, it’s already grown exponentially. My sense is that’s going to continue.
Warmly,
Paul
Its so interesting what you say about fun. I have been given really specific information about bringing fun into the world. I am an energy healer, working with Archangels and the Divine Feminine and they showed me a world where fun is the primary driver behind ALL our spiritual learning.
In my corporate life where I held responsibility for huge projects and budgets, ($7m) I used to treat it like a game, like play money and because I didn’t fear the size of it all – I was hugely successful. Since becoming an entrepreneur, I’ve realised I’ve been taking life far too seriously.
I know FUN is the way forward and I’m working on several projects now to bring that to the world!
I love your work and wish you every success for 2012!
Lisa
Lisa,
Thanks for sharing about your work. Sounds like very powerful and timely themes! Look forward to checking out your site ..
Re: Fun. In 2009, I came back completely inspired from a visit to Zappos.com Headquarters. They know how to LIVE their corporate value “Create fun and a little weirdness.” I told myself if it works for a billion dollar a year corporation like Zappos, then I might as well give it try. Up to that point, my practice had grown but more slowly and with much more effort than I wanted.
So I came back and started allowing weird self to show on Facebook and Twitter. I even deliberately wove FUN into my brand. For instance, here’s my Twitter bio:
I help spiritual entrepreneurs grow their business with integrity and ease. #ConsciousBiz, social marketing, EFT, attraction principles and FUN!
It made all the difference. It was my first year of 35%+ growth.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Lisa. Look forward to getting to know you better!