It's safe to be soft

For the solo-preneurs out there who connect with this: 

it’s safe to be softer in business, 

or at least that’s what I’ve been teaching my nervous system. 

Pushing, shoving, and forcing dilutes our impact, AND can make us feel wildly unsafe. 

Perhaps for you (and me) it’s more effective to move gently in order to bring a more generous helping of our hearts-work to the table, from a space of feeling grounded, capable, and excited.

I’ve resisted this for some time because we’re told to ‘show up’, be seen as experts in our field, and vocalise our beliefs - at all costs. At times I’ve struggled with this. The core of my connection shows up differently, but it doesn’t mean I care less about the world around me, or building an impactful business.

I want you to know there are representatives of soft business out there, but maybe we’re not the ones you’re seeing on your feed - and that’s okay. There is space and a place for us all. We are all needed.

This doesn’t mean we don’t work hard. We operate within our individual energy in a way that is reflective of who we are and harnesses the fullness of our service, while leaving us feeling energised. 

Can we learn to take radical action to prioritise our well-being; luxuriate as we lean towards creating safe rhythms within ourselves; listen intently where we once would have ignored our needs… bringing potency to this incredible season of life and business?

If you’re feeling lost, stuck, unsure, or looped on comparing your business to others, ask yourself… 

• How can I receive this week? What do I need to do to acknowledge my needs? 

• What is something I’m longing to do that isn’t connected to pushing my business forward? That simply invites me to delight my energy, and seek enjoyment? Often this is the seed of great inspiration.

• Where am I forcing myself to show up because I feel I have to? Is there another way I can connect with my community and/ or advocate what I believe in that feels like an extension of who I am, and still honours my boundaries? 

• What does ‘working hard’ while feeling energised look like to me, individually? Can we explore that without demonising hard work, or falling victim to hustle culture?

• Instead of focusing solely on what success looks like, how does it feel? When we eventually arrive at that feeling, often the fruits of our hard work are magnetised without us gripping as tightly. What is the value in achieving a goal if we’re not taking the time to relish the experience? Also, the success you desire… do you really have the capacity to hold that right now? Or would it send your nervous system into a spin? Perhaps every stepping stone is preparing you physically, mentally, and emotionally for reaching that goal. In the meantime, we are easing our way towards the freedom we seek in manageable ways, while we learn through making choices that are reflective of sustainability - this way when it lands it's less overwhelming.

Whatever you offer and however you show up in your business is incredibly unique to you, and so is the way you work. 

Get creative and rewrite how you show up. Romance the heck out of the process. 

Use your energy to your advantage. 

Use your unique capabilities to move your business in the direction you seek. 

And remember, there are necessary seasons for everything. We cannot fruit all year ‘round, or we lose our juice. 

Your gifts are needed. 

Your hearts-work is valuable. 

You are unlike any other person in the world in the way you deliver your service and show up, and THAT is your superpower. 

When you need to rest, rest. 

When you need to pivot, pivot (rest assured you are never starting from scratch). 

Harness it, nurture it, and move with your energy... 

And then ask yourself how it feels.

*Let this land on your heart however you need to receive it. After being self employed for a decade, I know and appreciate the financial pressure to push and hustle to cover big 'life' expenses. This reflection is personal, and not to discredit the importance of meeting our responsibilities, but to speak to the impact of personalising our style of work to reap the benefits in the most easeful and compassionate way... almost like introducing yoga flow to our business.