Bulding Your Business Using Spiritual Tools: Five Spiritual Principles to Keep You Centered

by Monique Morimoto Flaherty, MS, CPCC
There are many valuable tools and resources available to help us build successful businesses. Workshops, books, teleclasses, professional development seminars, and the wisdom of other successful business owners can be useful to each of us at different times depending on where we are in the process. How can you best use these tools? What makes you most effective in this process? How can building your business be fun, enlivening, and an opportunity for growth and celebration?

There's always plenty to do, so how do you choose what's right, what's next? How do you stay determined and motivated during the discouraging times, centered during the really busy times, and courageous during the challenging times? This is an exploration of five spiritual principles that can help you be in the being of building your business and support you in the doing.

The first principle is being on purpose. What is your life's purpose? When you know your purpose and are living it, you feel most fulfilled, alive, joyful, and vibrant. This platform enables you to consistently take steps that challenge you to grow beyond your comfort zone. Your purpose is a starting point and a motivating force and guide for your life and business.

You have chosen your business as a way to manifest and honor your purpose. What is the unique gift you bring to your work? What propelled you to start your business? What impact do you want to have in the world? Define this in writing and stay connected to that passion!



The second principle is that of living in the moment, being in the now. Be in the process of building your business. Don't expect to have the maturity or stability of a five-year-old business when you've been at this for just a year! This is a process with an ebb and flow of energy, clients, ideas, opportunities, and learning experiences.

Allow yourself to be in the flow and unfolding of this process. When you can get that you are right where you're supposed to be - in this moment - then you can relax and use the information at hand to plan your next move. Let the flow happen. Have an open heart and mind; be open to receive and trust what is. Remember to breathe and stay present.

This brings us to the third principle - trust. Trust that the universe is providing you all you need in this moment, (principle # 2) and acknowledge and move through your fear. Living in the fear of financial insecurity, getting the next client or putting yourself out there shuts you down and actually repels what you want while attracting what you fear.

Choose to live from a place of abundance and gratitude for what is. Be aware of the amazing miracles that happen daily and do the next right thing, choosing from your values and your purpose. Trust that you have what it takes to build your business and if you don't you will find that out. Build on your strengths and create support for yourself around your weaknesses. Choose to trust that YOU and the gift you ARE is enough. Trust that you live in abundance!

The fourth principle is detachment, holding expectations lightly. My first year in business I put myself out there in a variety of venues, created a number of workshops and tried several strategies for marketing and networking. I realize today, I was exploring and learning what works best for me but I often went into these activities with the attitude that "This will be IT!" and lots of expectations only to be disappointed. I have learned to let go of the results, to hold my expectations lightly and to find the lesson in each experience.

The fifth principle is gratitude. As entrepreneurs we get to make a positive difference in the world daily. Take time to reflect on and receive the impact of what you contribute each day. Notice the web of positive energy that your work is creating in the world.

Celebrate the people you work with; enjoy the impact your unique product or service has in their life. Receive their love. Cultivate gratitude for what is and appreciate the lessons your experiences offer. Celebrate your own life.

Finally, be grateful to be an instrument in this calling forth of your humanity in service to others. For indeed, this is what being an entrepreneur is all about!



Monique Morimoto Flaherty, MS, CPCC, principal of SoulWorks Coaching® is a certified life coach and a spiritual teacher and healer. Monique partners with individuals and organizations who are experiencing a growing sense of dissatisfaction and who are ready to dig deep, take risks and move forward. She helps her clients discover and embrace their life's purpose and to create lives and businesses that are fulfilling, joyful and expansive. For more information about Monique and SoulWorks Coaching® visit her website: www.soulworkscoaching.com .