For years I thought that being spiritual meant always being overly nice to everyone you worked with, letting people do whatever they wanted and never saying no (sound familiar?). It doesn’t.
After realizing how flawed that way of thinking was I went to the other extreme of being overly assertive when it came to my own needs and feelings and not thinking about other people very much at all. That didn’t work either.
I have been self employed since my early twenties, made a lot (and I mean a lot) of mistakes along the way and learned a great deal. For a long time I tried to ignore the spiritual side of myself and kept is very separate from my work but nothing ever seemed to work quite the way I wanted themt o
Its not until I really embraced my spiritual side that my business and life actually started to work.
I recently launched a program called Be Your Own Publicist to help spiritual entrepreneurs build their brand and reach more people which was re written twice to be more in line with the principles I am going to share with you below
Here are 9 ways to be more spiritual in Business , I hope they help you to make changes that are meaningful to you.
Nice guys do NOT finish last
The idea that nice guys finish last is, in my opinion, a complete lie. The idea that in order to be successful we must lose some of our “niceness” really bothers me. Being strong, decisive and focused does not mean you need to be nasty, and being nice, kind and compassionate does not mean that you are a pushover or weak. Do yourself a favor and drop this belief as quickly as you can.
Align yourself with a higher purpose
When I started my first PR business I just wanted to be cool, make money and go to parties. I ignored the niggling voice that kept trying to guide me and just drank more or partied even harder. After taking some time out I finally surrendered and understood my purpose; to help spiritual entrepreneurs raise their profile, share their message and reach more people with their work. Its only when I aligned my work with a higher purpose that things took off and I experienced a happiness that was more satisfying than any party.
Value your self
The way you feel about yourself will affect everything (and I mean everything) that you do, especially in business. In order to be truly successful and help more people you need to develop a deep appreciation for yourself and your life. You are not your mistakes or your flaws. Commit to cultivating thoughts and habits that support you and move you forward.
Be authentic
Instead of trying to act how you think other people expect you to or playing a role that you think fits, learn to step into your authenticity and let your true self-shine at work.
For years I tried so hard to be cool and edgy and didn’t really like myself in the process. My entire life and business changed when I gave myself permission to just be Ryan. Please give yourself the space to be yourself, exactly as you are and know that in your most authentic self you are ****ing brilliant.
Think BIGGER
The universe needs you to start thinking and playing a lot bigger. As I say to my clients, playing it small doesn’t serve anyone let alone yourself, so stop it now.
We need more conscious people standing up and sharing their message and reaching far more people. Whatever you are doing now, know that there is always a next level for you because you have INFINITE potential inside you.
Wherever you are, be there
It doesn’t matter where you work or what position you hold, if you are self-employed or unemployed. Where you are right now is the perfect space for you to align with your higher purpose and help people, don’t wait for your career to start to be spiritual.
Instead of seeing challenging times as negative experiences, see them as forming the foundation for your contribution to the world. If you can take just one thing from a painful time in your life and use it to help others, then you have transformed poison into medicine.
Don’t separate
Too often we think of our spiritual practice and our job as two different parts of our lives when the truth of the matter is that our jobs are a huge part of our spiritual practice. By seeing your work as a vehicle for your own growth and for helping other people you become a magnet for more good (trust me!)
Meditate before meetings
…or when you get to your desk. Spend a few minutes (or as long as you can) meditating, focus on your breath and set your intentions for the day ahead. By becoming conscious before meetings and at the start of your day, you show up at a higher vibration and won’t be so swayed by the events of the day. What we give out we get back.
Develop a collaborative mentality
Instead of seeing other people and business’s as a threat to our own, see them as a chance to create mutually beneficial relationships both in and out of work.
When you apply these principles to your work you will realize that there is more than enough good for everyone and that you becoming successful does not take away from anyone else, it actually creates more good for everyone.
Action: Which of the above strategies stand out the most for you? How can you start to implement them in your life and work?
Ryan James Lock is a business coach, writer and entrepreneur based between Ibiza, Canada and London. To get your free copy of “10 ways to Be Your Own Publicist” and coaching , mindset and PR strategy emails go to www.beingyourownpublicist.com