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(I will never rent, trade, or sell your information) * = required fieldAs a “spiritual” businessperson, I sometimes feel what appears to be a competition between my extreme focus on my work and balance in my broader life. I imagine I am not alone in feeling this type of inner conflict. Work/life balance is nothing new, but something that continues to challenge those of us working in modern, “Western” society. Especially for the entrepreneur/solopreneur who runs her own business and frequently works from home, the generally understood “lines” between work and personal life are continually being blurred to the point of complete obscurity.
Overall, I am beginning to wonder how much of a separation there really is – or should be – between what we consider our “business” and what we consider our “life” – after all, for most of us (at least those of us who are still doing our own thing after a year or two, and especially for those of us who see business as one of the main ways we live out our greater purpose in the world) our business is a significant part of who we are – our identity, our mental and emotional focus, and our passion.
This anti-compartmentalization is actually one of the greatest blessings of doing what we love. Many people who are not happy doing what they do for a living need to create a separation because they want to make sure they aren’t devoting too much time to dull, soul-sucking, or emotionally toxic activity at the expense of doing what they enjoy with those they love. For many passionate entrepreneurs, though, we generally feel we need to monitor our lives so that we don’t sacrifice hobbies, home, and relationships to our calling in our work. But how much monitoring is necessary?
Dan Kennedy, millionaire marketer and author, recently wrote:
“…the true regret of achievers is achievement left unachieved. This is what haunts them. Us. That there might be one more big game, maybe the biggest game left in us and left unplayed. And those who are not haunted by such ambition as they go, are usually deeply troubled by it at the very end. Many wish they’d smelled a few less flowers and done something more important.”
I resonate with this when my heart palpitates with anticipation over new marketing ideas, or when I look forward to sitting down at my computer to work on a client’s website. I get a thrill when strategizing with my clients; enjoy seminars, conferences, and networking events; and even get excited when organizing my revenue projections or shopping for office equipment. Many of us would say that we do “live to work” – and mean it in the most empowered way possible.
However, even I recognize that as much as I love my work, my life is rich because of a tapestry of other things – friends, family, food, culture, entertainment, pleasure – that bring me profound joy and contentment each day. If I maintain a super-intense focus on my work for too long, these other parts of my life suffer and need extra attention to be brought back up to speed.
I have found that as much as I try to create a standard schedule of “work hours” for myself, I am unable to follow them. My spirit chafes against the imposed “rules” even while my organized mind yearns for the “order” they promise. I have found that my inspiration is a better guide to my fluid life.
Sometimes my work requires more intense focus and more hours of effort to meet deadlines or achieve goals, and at other times, I move through my work day at a more leisurely pace. I have found that it’s usually easier if I pay less attention to 9-to-5, Monday-to-Friday. Sometimes I work on Saturday. Frequently I work past 10 pm. But I also tuck in coffee or lunch with a friend at noon on Wednesday, or run errands while the bank is still open. This ebb-and-flow works better for me, and I am slowly giving myself permission to life this way without feeling like a workaholic or a complete slacker.
If you crave more spiritual connection in your life, recognize that you don’t need to set aside lots of time to do that. Just the act of being in business can give you feelings of possibility and grace, and you should feel welcome to integrate your spiritual process into your business day. Many conscious entrepreneurs, including myself, start their day with some sort of “quiet time” – meditation, reading, journaling, setting intentions, energy work, ritual, prayer, etc. Doing this first thing can set a tone for your day and create a spiritual quality to your entire life. Many people take periodic breaks to breathe deeply, reconnect to their vision, or otherwise rejuvenate. Another way you can bring more spirituality into your business is to handle challenges in a spiritual way – by meditating, surrendering them to the Universe, or your angels, praying for guidance, etc. Also by attuning to your intuition and to other signs of guidance that appear, the ideas you get and solutions you come up with will be even more in tune with your businesses larger mission.
When considering your own strategies for an integrated life, keeping your unique needs, rhythms and commitments in mind is the main objective. Books and coaches will all be happy to tell you what to do to “be more productive” or “set boundaries” but any techniques need to be tested in the crucible of you own life.
The process I recommend is as follows:
Coming to terms with your own life integration is an ongoing, but rewarding process. Remember that as an entrepreneur, you have the gift of freedom in your life and don’t feel compelled to “pretend” you work a standard corporate job. Allows serendipity and life’s magic to infuse every day with peace, enjoyment, and accomplishment.
