I entered the workforce full-time in 2010, and I remember that one of the early mantras I heard often in that first job was, “Business is business, and love is love. This ain’t love.” (I’m from Texas, so imagine that with a nice Texas drawl.)
This message was used as a way to bring more objectivity into the workplace and downplayed the importance of emotions, feelings, and intuition. Back then, I knew this saying didn’t feel quite right, but I didn’t have the wherewithal to examine why exactly that was, or how to directly address it.
Now that I have nearly four years under my belt running my own business, and have had countless conversations with folks who feel differently, I know this to be blatantly untrue.
Where I am now, one of the beliefs I hold most dear is that those of us who feel called to follow the entrepreneurial path are uniquely positioned to create an impact on our world. Our business can be a conduit for change, but it requires a devoted exploration and connection to our soul in order to see it through.
It seems that coming out of the 20th century there was a hyper-vigilant focus on efficiency, systems, and a distinct separation between business and personal lives. While still fairly fresh, the notion of connecting soul + business is becoming more widely adopted as truth. The chasm that once separated our home lives from our work lives is shrinking.
We see proponents for this in people like Simon Sinek in his writings Start With Why and The Infinite Game. He shares the importance of having a strong Why and Just Cause to fuel your business, and those largely come from a deeply personal place. Businesses who are focused on traditional metrics for success are failing short, and it’s because they don’t have a connection to a deeper purpose, which stirs the soul.
No longer can we avoid the importance of feelings, gut instinct, and intuition in business. In fact, Dr. Tara Swart in her debut book The Source argues that intuition is an equally important component as logic to “whole-brain decision making.”
All of this brings me to what I see as a remarkable new way of doing business. There is a proliferation of heart- and soul-centered businesses, as well as for-profit companies that are actively putting purpose first. The days of separating soul from business are numbered.
And I like to think of the folks leading this change as High-Conscious Entrepreneurs.
High-Conscious Entrepreneurs are incredibly intentional, and it’s because of their strong convictions that they practice patience before taking action. They are open to change and willing to learn. They have a strong contemplative practice, which translates to increased empathy across all relationships. They are serious about making a lasting change in this world, while also not taking themselves too seriously. They appreciate humor and humility.
High-Conscious Entrepreneurs are decisive, which is spurred by their connection to their soul and to their unyielding knowing of our interconnectedness. They don’t see the world in black & white; they see in nuance. They are devoted to their personal mission, so much so that it often becomes the basis for their business(es), and they are tenacious in their pursuit to create a world that their ancestors will be proud of.
High-Conscious Entrepreneurs are dangerously happy. That joy stems from pursuing their life’s purpose, and it’s accessing and allowing that joy to come through that is their source of power. A power that isn’t domineering or oppressive.
High-Conscious Entrepreneurs see the possibility in doing things differently and in allowing their work to be a transcendent experience.
This collective awakening is happening. Are you one of us?
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Photo credit: Creating Light Studio