In today’s world of business, we often find ourselves lost in to-do lists, barely keeping our heads above water to grab a gasp of air from time to time. Either methodically going through the motions of the workday or plowing through the daily chaos, we become more and more detached from our work’s true meaning. This way of working has created a gap between you and making your business something you can be truly passionate about.
Okay so, you’re probably wondering what “heart-centered” actually means? Well, it’s really all about living and practicing a life of purpose. “Being heart-centered means that we approach life from a place of inner strength, resiliency, courage, integrity, authenticity, and truth.” And, working through life without purpose is a prison sentence that none of us should ever have to serve.
Now that you have a better understanding of what this heart-centering business is all about ask yourself,…
Are You & Your Business Heart-Centered?
It’s not uncommon for most of us in business to fall into a slump. Much like a day at the races, when we first started out in business, the gun goes off and we hit the ground running. We’re filled with this sense of excitement, passion, drive, wonder, and a desire to win. But as the race runs its course, so many of those running it are fatigued, fall behind, and lose sight of the real prize they so wished to achieve in this mad dash for success in business.
Does this sound a bit like your professional situation? Don’t fret! As I already said, this a common affliction among all of us that work in the professional world. CEO’s, Business Owners, and employees alike. You’re not alone in this. And, in this article, we’re going to go over what you’ll have to focus on in order to become a better heart-centered business person. So, let’s start with the bigger picture here.
Make the World a Better Place
Making the world a better place is no easy task. To do this professionally your work and business should have a clear understanding as to how your service or products make a difference in the world, or even just to a few people’s worlds. With this understanding clearly defined and at the front of your mind, you can truly see why you do what it is that you do professionally. And, there’s no time like the present to explore the reasons that you are drawn to what it is that you do. There are a billion choices that each of us could make in applying our talents and skillsets to work. What was it that made you choose the path that you’re on?
As Simon Sinek put it best, START WITH WHY. Play the why game with yourself until you’ve reached your core motivations. I highly recommend starting this practice before each workday. It’ll help you to strengthen your connection to this deeper understanding and help clarify your major priorities on that ever-expanding to-do list. Put aside about 10 minutes at the beginning of your workday and in this time ponder, meditate, or free write on your WHY. When you start with your workday with your WHY you find purpose in your daily work and business. You become more heart-centered.
Another great recommendation I heard recently from Thriveal founder Jason Blumer, who was a guest on this episode of the Abundant Accountant Podcast was this: Hold a vision and values presentation to your team at the beginning of each year. That is another great reminder to the team of your company’s purpose and vision for that year. And, a brilliant way to lead your business into a new year with WHY at the forefront of all that you do. And also show them the impact of what you all accomplished last year.
Another neat trick is to insert reminders of your work’s purpose in places where you can easily see or access them throughout the workday or in those moments of self-doubt. Trust me, we all have those moments of doubt. And, it’s when you don’t have these consistent reminders that you easily forget why you’re working on what you’re working on. This is where can lose that sense of purpose in your work.
Don’t let this happen to you! Write that note on the back of your hand. Stick a post-it note to your desktop screen every time you leave your desk so you’re reminded of WHY every time you return to your workstation. Put photographs up around your office or home of the people whose lives have been touched by your business. Whatever helps you to always remember your WHY. Your purpose.
Part of making the world a better place is for all those that live in it. So, a good part of your work should be focused on helping others that truly need your business.
Help Others
Many entrepreneurs can feel a lack of confidence in promoting their work and their businesses, whether they consider them to be heart-centered or not. What you’re doing is making the world a better place and improving the lives of your clients. You have a responsibility, and obligation to find and connect with the people who will benefit from your services or products the most. So, for those of you who feel that lack, it’s time to build up a little confidence here. Remember, what you do makes the world and people’s lives better!
Our daily lives are bombarded with information and notifications pulling for our attention. Take a moment and brainstorm for those executing strategies that cut through the clutter and draw in prospective clients who need you and your business.
Be clear and define your location, message, and package. Your location is where your customers are (online or physically). Your message is how your products and/or services will improve the lives of others and the world around you. Your package is your professional design that stands out and engages. And, of course, add YOU! You being your voice, passion, and personality.
When these four elements add up you have a clear picture to show your audience. And, when your audience can see what you do clearly you help them make better decisions for their purchases of products and services. Helping others allows you to create deeper connections with your community, longstanding, new, and potential clients. This is key because here your next step.
Build Long-lasting Relationships
The most important part of running a heart-centered business and being a heart-centered business person involves redefining the traditional definition of business success. Instead of only including the traditional metrics (numbers of sales, amount of profit, etc.), including qualitative reviews of relationships you’ve formed with potential clients, customers, your community, and members of your own and adjacent industries.
There are two methods to guaranteeing quality relationships. The first method you’ll want to implement is having meaningful conversations and interactions that focus on your audience. And secondly, provide free value. I mean, when you think about it, when you have truly cared about others, you want to give for the sake of helping or making a difference in their lives. I’m not saying that you should give away anything for free. But go above and beyond what is expected of you and your business. Provide free value that compliments or enhances the products or services you and your company has to offer.
Only pursuing transactional relationships with your customers and community will severely limit the satisfaction you get from working in your business. And, limits the satisfaction of your audience with you and your company. It can also be detrimental to your bottom line because customers are much more likely to buy from genuine people who they enjoy and who have demonstrated their ability to provide true value.
Be True to Yourself
Just the other week my mother and I were catching up on what we’d been reading lately. She had shared with me a passage from a book she was reading, as she often does, about the top five regrets of the dying.
Can you guess what those BIG five regrets were? I’m sure you can predict of few of these major regrets from the list but let’s go over them from the greatest wish to the least.
- I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
- I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
- I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
- I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
- I wish that I had let myself be happier.
Now, why am I bringing all this sad stuff up you might ask? Well, it’s because when you live your life with fewer regrets it means you allow your heart to lead you and your life. Being heart-centered is you being true to yourself.
Alight, alright, I get that I’m only telling you what you already know now at this point in our journey together. But you might still be wondering “how do you actually do that?”. Well, I have a few helpful tips here that can help you get started on your journey to practicing a more heart-centered self and business.
Four Helpful Heart-Centering Tips
Now that you have a bigger picture here are four ways to help you all lead a heart-centered life.
- Stop thinking so gosh darn much.
- Try to connect with your heart.
- Try to connect with your intuition.
- Set the intention to live from your heart.
Keep these key four in mind and you’ll find yourself centered at the heart of it ALL.
Heart-Centered Business Examples
Do you still need a little convincing that this whole heart-centering thing is what you as a business person and what your business really needs? Well, here’s a shortlist of just a few companies I know you’ll recognize.
These are all companies that go to the heart of it all in business, and their reviews and reputation demonstrate that. With clearly defined values, missions, and company cultures, each of the businesses listed above have outdone their competitors and lines up those three important Ps. Passion, purpose, and profit. In many ways, these company’s services and products have helped make their customer’s lives easier and the world around them better for it.
So, how will help make the world a better place? I think you know where to start this adventure.
