Lessons in Creating Space when Life tells you to Slow Down
As business owners we often receive the awe inspiring narrative of the ability to make decisions that are in alignment with our own wishes and preferences. Such as what hours to work in a week, when to take vacation, and setting the terms of your responsibilities. I have found that both personally, and in connection with business owners across Turtle Island/ Canada, that honouring self and space is one of the most challenging aspects of entrepreneurship.
Upon searching the characteristics of an entrepreneur the common words that surface are; motivation, passion, vision, confidence, adaptability, risk taker. Some of these states may be classified as eurocentric/ traditional entrepreneurship conditions. They are more of an active approach to business that certainly, at times, has a place in our ways of being as entrepreneurs.
The challenge for me with these states of being as a business owner comes when I have experienced, or witnessed a life transition. This could be at the macro level, or perhaps layered micro level changes; a pandemic, the planning push for a new year of goals, the call to keep up to social media/ marketing trends, the quantifiable “successful sales” metrics, and personal circumstances such as physical injuries, loved ones passing away, pregnancies, moving homes, or mental health break.
Almost immediately the fear floods in with a list of reasons that you cannot take a rest and take a break. We begin to push/ strive to complete the to-do list, the messages of anxiety and grief inundate our system, we feel unmotivated and exhausted at extreme levels.
Imagine a world where this wasn’t the case. When a life stressor or challenging circumstances arises we create a container for our business to continue operations without us as the owner for a period of time, or you simply pause your services/ offerings until you are ready. This is the heart centered way of entrepreneurship, and it doesn’t always mean that we flow into this slow down space overnight.
As an entrepreneur, where organization and planning is my love language, there are systems in place that have helped me over the years with honouring rest, when my body has clearly indicated that space is exactly what I need right now.
In a previous journal entry “Navigating Grief and Loss as an Entrepreneur” I wrote about my father in law’s passing. I invite you to read this entry (if you haven’t already) as I speak about:
Financial wellness: starting/ growing your “rainy day” savings
Receiving support from colleagues with work responsibilities
Protecting your energy bubble in being of loving service to self, loved ones, your team and community
I would like to expand on these thoughts and specifically speak about trust when we are invited into spaces of slowing down as business owners. I can truthfully say that this is still something I am working on as an entrepreneur. But it also has become easier over the years as I lean into nourishing messages of gentleness. Feeling the grip of rules binding and holding me release their intense charge.
As I trust I am connected to my divine intuition that knows exactly what I need and naturally I am divinely guided.
As I trust I am honouring my beautiful community and the gifts of leadership that they bring in being of loving service together.
As I trust I am decolonizing the narratives that rest is not a form of resiliency, success and radiance.
When our culture bombards us with messages of not having the space to rest, it’s no wonder that fear is so present when we feel our heart is telling us something different. I invite you to join me in a heart centered conversation, leaning into the power of community, to honour these preferred states of being. There are both practical strategies and flowing states of knowing that can support us in changing the narrative of business. To be leaders and change makers in honouring self as we to honour our work in loving service.
I call on the Infinite and speak this blessing with sincerest intention: to deepen and expand my being to give and receive Love.
May we dissolve the fear, grievances and striving that obscure us from the full effects of Love.
May we courageously extend our loving hearts to all relationships and offerings.
I open my mind to bask in the light of consciousness.
I open my heart to flow with the power of Love.
I open my life to healing communion.
May all be so blessed.
~ I Open My Heart by Danielle Laporte
