Spiritual Street Smarts

I’ve been in business for eight years now with zillions of SQU’s, design ideas, celebrity endorsements, copycats, feature stories, and so on. I’ve noticed recently, with the economic downturn, many people are beginning their own businesses. If you are one of these people, know that with the initiation of an idea or business, you have also begun a spiritual journey. As a business owner (who views herself as a work in progress) I thought I’d share some spiritual street smarts for those willing to listen:

1. We are all in this earthly dimension to learn and if you own a business or are thinking of owning one, know that it is a spiritual passage just as motherhood, brotherhood, fatherhood, sisterhood and childhood. Just like you, every business has a soul and a purpose. You are simply the avenue through which it flows.

2. Don’t believe your own press. The minute you do, you’ve lost sight of your purpose and let ego take over. Owning a business does not translate into popularity or a way to allay fears of being unloved. To be successful, you must welcome being alone, understand and love yourself, no matter what anyone says positive or negative.

3. When you begin to feel momentum or success, both your light and the aura of your business will shine brightly. Depending on how clear you are, you will attract both souls with positive intentions for your business as well as souls with selfish and negative intentions. Where there is light, there is darkness. Remember this, tap the light within for advice so not to attract moths to your flame.

4. No one is responsible for your success, not even you. You are a channel of universal love and light serving your purpose here. The minute you take ownership of your success, you are missing the point. Be grateful, humble, kind and compassionate.

5. Kindness and compassion in business do not mean rolling over and playing dead. Sometimes the kindest thing you can do to an employee or partner, when they have crossed ethical boundaries is fire them. If you fail to address bad behavior, others’ lessons will become yours. Tough love never hurt anyone at all.

6. Never assume a contract or partnership has been reached when verbal, especially when dealing with friends. Written communication/ agreement is key. Boundaries both personal and professional will keep your relationships easier.

7. Don’t ever let anyone tell you they know your business better than you do. The minute you think someone does, you’ve blocked the energy in your organization. It’s your baby and that’s the truth.

8. The likelihood of a business surviving based on others ideas is slim to none. Translation: if you are not serving your purpose, but rather copying someone else, you will not succeed. Let the creative goddess within you shine.

9. There is no right or wrong, win or lose, fail or succeed, so long as you are clear with one point: You are a student of the Universe forever. Like yoga, golf, surfing and life in general, every day is a new day to learn and tweak your business along the way.

10. If you acknowledge you are on a Spiritual Journey, you will realize, owning a business is really NOT about the money, but rather about the journey. Once you let go and allow the flow, while knowing we are all here to serve a greater good, abundance will happen. You don’t take your money with you when you die, so why focus on being greedy while alive.

Now go let the essence of the Universe shine through you and your business for success.