2015
Soul-Good Business Strategy Session
Beginnings.
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of
life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover
that I had not lived. ~ Henry David Thoreau
We want to live (and work) deliberately.
We want to have a focus going into the New Year that is true (to reality), solid for the business, and honoring to who we are.
(Maybe even — jazzy.) A tangible focus we can sink our teeth into because we’ll need it to be that JUICY to energize (and
empower) us to give our precious time and energy to it.
Our energy is not to be wasted.
This Strategy Session is here to help. Because I believe our best plans are not only effective for our business, they’re in line with
our soul. That good. That resonating. (And…fun!)
This guide is designed to lead you through an experience: One that you can design for yourself. It’s flexible enough to leave
room for you to breathe; substantial (i.e., realistic) enough to put down on paper and work from. Small enough to wrap your
hands (and brain) around; grand enough to get you feeling and thinking bigger. Just start with Quarter 1 in mind. Next baby step.
There are colored-text pages mixed in: Consider them creativity breaks. Quick (or slow, you decide) cross-trainings and rest stops
for your brain. You’ll want to grab some dedicated time, and your favorite tunes. Grab some crayons, a nap, or the whole LOTR
trilogy too — whatever you need to make this playful.
Have fun! Make this Your Time. Be open to what comes. And now… enjoy.
Step 1: Thankful
You may want to get your calendar for this one.
What am I thankful for? What made your heart soar? What grabbed your attention and ran with it like a free stallion? Or, what were the
simple moments that made life grand, worth living, worth remembering — in 2014?
Big and small, write them down. (Splash around in this a bit. Smush them all on this page. Get big and tiny. Go!)
2014: What sucked?
2014 wasn’t all bad — there is a lot to be thankful for (just look at the previous page, for goodness’ sake!).
But some things didn’t fit. Maybe didn’t… click. There are things not worth repeating (if we don’t have to). Perhaps things worth an
explicative or five (out of earshot of your children or clients). These all are welcome on this page.
Here lie the things that didn’t align, serve you, or simply didn’t work:
Whatever you want to drop-kick to the moon or simply leave in your pre-new-year dust* — get good ’n honest with it right here and now
(explicatives allowed). Short + sweet does the (best) trick.
* Perhaps not in the “It Sucked” category, there may be bits in the past year that didn’t pan out, or you’re sad to see go, or just don’t want to
continue. Attitudes. Adopted values. Actions, or lack-of-actions. Choices, alliances, or non-allowances — They get a place here too.
2014: Moving on!
There’s something powerful in action.
Take a look at your lists of 2014 (jotting down any other dreams, unfulfilled (or fulfilled) wishes, false starts, good feelings, or new or old
plans) and take a moment… to say goodbye.
In your way: whether a fond adieu, or a middle-finger flip-off. Make it an intentional — even sacred — punctuation. Or, a gentle sendingoff into the sunset. Both the Good and Bad. Some ideas are below.
Write + burn it.
Type it + recycle-bin-it.
Write a letter that you send. (Or don’t.)
Mold it + throw it away. (Or, display it.)
Shower it off. Sweat it out.
Say a prayer.
Host a going-away party with your friends and their Goodbyes.
Destroy the previous page.
Paint + repaint. (New painting over old?)
Fake tattoo. (Then real tattoo?)
Cry.
Give it to the dog.
Travel + let it go. (Or travel towards it.)
Place it in poetry.
Share it with a trusted heart.
Or, you can simply light a candle.
Do something to bid adieu to 2014 — whatever you need to let go, in order to move ahead.
The Scroll Marked Two by Og Mandino
I will greet this day with love in my heart.
For this is the greatest secret of success in all ventures. Muscle can split a shield and even destroy life but only the unseen power of love can
open the hearts of men and until I master this art I will remain no more than a peddler in the market place. I will make love my greatest
weapon and none on whom I call can defend against its force.
My reasoning they may counter; my speech they may distrust; my apparel they may disapprove; my face they may reject; and even my
bargains may cause them suspicion; yet my love will melt all hearts liken to the sun whose rays soften the coldest clay.
I will greet this day with love in my heart.
And how will I do this? Henceforth will I look on all things with love and I will be born again. I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet I
will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit. I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars. I will
welcome happiness for it enlarges my heart; yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul. I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due;
yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge.
I will greet this day with love in my heart.
And how will I speak? I will laud mine enemies and they will become friends; I will encourage my friends and they will become brothers.
Always will I dig for reasons to applaud; never will I scratch for excuses to gossip. When I am tempted to criticize I will bite on my tongue;
when I am moved to praise I will shout from the roofs.
Is it not so that birds, the wind, the sea and all nature speaks with the music of praise for their creator? Cannot I speak with the same music
to his children? Henceforth will I remember this secret and it will change my life.
I will greet this day with love in my heart.
And how will I act? I will love all manners of men for each has qualities to be admired even though they be hidden. With love I will tear
down the wall of suspicion and hate which they have built round their hearts and in its place will I build bridges
so that my love may enter their souls.
I will love the ambitious for they can inspire me! I will love the failures for they can teach me. I will love the kings for they are but human; I will
love the meek for they are divine. I will love the rich or they are yet lonely; I will love the poor for they are so many. I will love the young for
the faith they hold; I will love the beautiful for their eyes of sadness; I will love the ugly for their souls of peace.
I will greet this day with love in my heart.
But how will I react to the actions of others? With love. For just as love is my weapon to open the hearts of men, love is also my shield to
repulse the arrows of hate and the spears of anger. Adversity and discouragement will beat against my new shield and become as the
softest of rains. My shield will protect me in the market place and sustain me when I am alone. It will uplift me in moments of despair yet it
will calm me in time of exultation. It will become stronger and more protective with use until one day I will cast it aside and walk
unencumbered among all manners of men and, when I do, my name will be raised high on the pyramid of life.
I will greet this day with love in my heart.
And how will I confront each whom I meet? In only one way. In silence and to myself I will address him and say I Love You. Though spoken in
silence these words will shine in my eyes, unwrinkled my brow, bring a smile to my lips, and echo in my voice; and his heart will be opened.
And who is there who will say nay to my goods when his heart feels my love?
I will greet this day with love in my heart.
And most of all I will love myself. For when I do I will zealously inspect all things which enter my body, my mind, my soul, and my heart.
Never will I overindulge the requests of my flesh, rather I will cherish my body with cleanliness and moderation. Never will I allow my mind to
be attracted to evil and despair, rather I will uplift it with the knowledge and wisdom of the ages. Never will I allow my soul to become
complacent and satisfied, rather I will feed it with meditation and prayer. Never will I allow my heart to become small and bitter,
rather I will share it and it will grow and warm the earth.
I will greet this day with love in my heart.
Henceforth will I love all mankind. From this moment all hate is let from my veins for I have not time to hate, only time to love.
From this moment I take the first step required to become a man among men. With love I will increase my sales a hundredfold and become
a great salesman. If I have no other qualities I can succeed with love alone. Without it I will fail though I possess
all the knowledge and skills of the world.
I will greet this day with love, and I will succeed.
(a wee exercise)
Put on your favorite album.
Or Film Scores Radio on Pandora.
Or play your favorite song, on repeat.
Turn off your phone, the TV, the computer. Grab your favorite pen + notebook, or
some markers and art paper, or snatch the Paper 53 app and pull it up on your ‘pad.
Listen. And doodle.
(Just whatevs. This is not a contest.)
For a whole minute. For a whole hour. For the whole album.
Just let it… sit, soak, and fill.
Laughter
by Hafiz
What is laughter? What is laughter?
It is God waking up! O it is God waking up!
It is the sun poking its sweet head out
From behind a cloud
You have been carrying too long,
Veiling your eyes and your heart.
It is Light breaking ground for a great Structure
That is your Real body — called Truth.
It is happiness applauding itself and then taking flight
To embrace everyone and everything in this world.
Laughter is the polestar
Held in the sky by our Beloved,
Who eternally says,
“Yes, dear ones, come this way,
Come this way toward Me and Love!
Come with your tender mouths moving
And your beautiful tongues conducting songs
And with your movements—your magic movements
Of hands and feet and glands and cells—Dancing!
Know that to God’s Eye,
All movement is a Wondrous Language,
And Music — such exquisite, wild Music!”
O what is laughter, Hafiz?
What is this precious love and laughter
Budding in our hearts?
It is the glorious sound
Of a soul waking up!
Ready? Here we go: Values Play!
Gather up your values, either from our Core Session (they’re likely still “alive”).
Or (optional) do a refresh:
Who do you admire? List 3 names. (Trust me, this question does not get old.)
Beside each name, list 3-4 words that describe what you admire about them.
Voila! These are your Values.
And/Or, How do you (ideally) want to feel in EVERYTHING in your business?
If you had your way, what would saturate everything in 2015?
What Value has been absent this year? Or, you’ve missing it?
Go for Values. Pieces of your Self that are indelible. Narrow to your Top 5.
(Ask, “What could I (literally) not live without?” or process-of-elimination style.)
Write ‘em down (here or on a sticky):
Stylish Trailblazing
Uncompromising
Loving Free! Excited
Fulfilled Pure of Heart
Fearless Spirituality
Simplicity Agile
Tenacious Creative
Charismatic Respectful
CommunityCultivating Smart-asHell Helpful Sharp
Witty Fierce Sweet
Articulate Irreverent
Competent Honest
To be a successful visionary, you must be as aware as possible. At
every moment, many paths lead forward. Awareness tells you
which is the right one to take.
~ Deepak Choprah
Values Gut Check: Business Version
List your 5 Core Values on the lines below. (See, that sticky note is handy.) Now, get in your brainstormy space (ooh)…
Taking each Value at a time, ask yourself: “What would make my business feel more (or be aligned with, or adhere to) [this Value]?”
Like this: “What would make my business feel more Elegant?”
Use your Values. Listen to your gut. Jot down whatever comes. (You can think: changes, non-changes, simple alterations, nice-to-have’s,
bucket plans, minor fixes, major revamps, wish-list items, or wild notions. Whatever makes your Values come alive in physical form. Answers
that come most immediately—however crazy—get a spot on this page. Jot them down judgement-free. Spend as much time here as makes
you invigorated.) For now, we’ll call these Desires:
Desires — Page 12
My Need Map:
Flipping back + forth to the last page, for each “desire” scribbled down, ask yourself, “What do/would I need to make this a reality?”
Make a list on the left side below. Keep it quick, sweet, and gut-level.
(And just go with this. For example: If you wrote “Better Communications” on the previos page, what you might need for better
communications (the gut-level response) could be “fall back in love with my work,” or “write new web copy.” It can be that immeasurable or
that simple. It all counts. Even if it’s impossible. Let it be and put it down.)
What I Need:
Needs + Actions — Page 13
My Need Map: Part II
We’re going to map out your needs. And we’re going to keep this SIMPLE.
On the previous page, write a second “Actions” column, like you see below.
For each need, draw an arrow to the one first thing you can, will, or want to do to start to get that need met.
(“Pray hard,” “send it out,” or “be open to The How,” are absolutely viable answers for things that seem crazy or currently out of reach.)
Like so:
What I Need:
Actions:
- New Web Copy (for better communications) ————————> Call Wilma for her writer referrals
- Fall back in love (for better comms) —————————> Get ideas from Diana on how to do this?
- Referrals (for increased sales) ————————> Revamp referral plan
- New Product Idea (for innovation) —————————> Host a focused brainstorm session w/ staff
- New office space ———————————————> Find a photo of it + vision board it. Ask for divine help.
My Need Map: Part III (last step!)
Grab some colors! (Green and Red, preferably. Or go wild: use Blue and Black.)
In GREEN, circle those actions that are most likely to generate revenue the quickest. (Because you need cash. Period.)
In RED, circle those actions that are most important, fun, energizing, or simple to do. (Because you need energy.)
What I Need:
Actions:
- New Web Copy (better communications) ————————> Call Fred for writer referrals
Important!
- Fall back in love (for better comms) —————————> Get ideas from Diana
- Connections (for increased sales) ————————> Revamp referral plan
Revenue!
- New Product Idea (for innovation) —————————> Brainstorm session w/ Staff
- New office space ———————————————> Find a photo of it + vision board it. Ask for divine help.
Quick!
Choose your own adventure.
The reason we can trust our gut, listen to our hearts, and hear-out our desires is…
Because they lead us to tangible, measurable actions. (Check out the previous page.)
And when they don’t — they still lead us to things that are important.
Now you get to decide what to do next.
: The green-circled items are to draw attention to what will generate revenue — that’s important! Get it on your priority list.
: The red-circled items shine a light on what will most likely power your other actions.
: Anything with both red and green — definitely DO! You’re rad!!
: Anything on your Desires list (page 12), or Needs and Actions list (page 13) can have a place in your plan. You pick!
Tips:
: Keep this planning stage simple, and honest. Feel-good (even immeasurable) goals belong here too.
: Most businesses can handle 3 major leaps / projects / initiatives in a year, at most. Be sane + humane in your visoneering.
: A big project (like new web copy or a systems revamp) may be… big. Chunk it down into three steps. Every project
can be divvied into just three major steps. Put those on the calendar (see below).
: Not sure if a Desire or Need is worth planning? Plop it on the page and sleep on it. (See how it looks after Return of the King or a nap.)
On the next page is a calendar. Here’s how to use it:
1. For each Desire (page 12) you want to do, see happen, or get rolling, scribble it in the month you’d ideally like see it happen.
2. For any Actions you’d like to take, jot them in the month-box you’d like to see them complete.
3. Is there anything you would like to feel by a certain date next year? You can calendar Values, too (“Peaceful by August!”)
Keep going with it… (practicality comes later).
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me leading me wherever I choose.
Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune.
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,
Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,
Strong and content I travel the open road.
Walt Whitman,
From Song of the Open Road
Practical Applications.
You may look at your Actions list or Calendar and think, “That’s not enough.”
Or perhaps, “Eesh, that’s a lot.”
Maybe even, “Surely that isn’t enough to cover it all.”
The answer is:
No, it it’s not.
And,
Yes. It is.
It’s a start.
(And that’s the biggest, most important, part.)
What to do next:
1. Finish this strategy session. Keep having fun. You’re not done yet.
2. After Step 1, If you have a partner, staff, or coach/advisor (wink) involved in the implementation of any of these things, run it by them.
Get their input on things that concern them. Things that grow need sun, water, air, and soil — multiple sources of input.
3. Transfer this calendar onto your real calendar for 2015. Block serious, dedicated, penned-in time to DO these things. Even Values.
4. Need more detail? Pick the January to-do’s (only), and get your detailed self on. Plot those in your real calendar too.
5. Do a jiggly wobbly dance. Sing a song — loud. Do something to mix it up, move around, then come back.
(Optional Extra)
Values Gut Check: Life Versions
Want to go full monty with your soul-good planning time?
Take Page 12, copy the basic instructions onto a sheet of your own, and go through the same exercise with the following areas:
Home + Family + Community Life
Self + Soul Life
Health + Fitness Life
Lifestyle + Travel + Fun Stuff
Tip: The key is to keep it simple. Simple-simple. If the above options invigorate you but feel overwhelming, shrink them down. For
example, I squished “Self + Soul + Health” into one glorious category that encapsulated it all: physical + mental health + spiritual growth +
exercise (dancing, of course). That’s how they fit in my head. Rearrange them to fit in yours.
P.S. “What would be FUN to do / be / have / create / experience in the new year?” … is a question we sometimes don’t ask.
You might want to slip that one in ;)
Soak. Share. Remind.
SOAK.
Surround yourself in things (anything!) that will enhance, support, and promote these good things to soak in.
Vision Board. Photographs in your office. Colors. Fabrics. Tunes. Surround yourself. I can’t tell you how helpful this is.
SHARE.
With a trusted advisor. Loving friends. Someone who will hold the sacredness of this exercise with you.
Someone who will delight with you (without ego, shame, judgement.)
REMIND (Your future self)
Wherever you’ll find yourself, a week, or month, or few months from now:
: A note in your shorts pocket (remember how awesome it is to find a $5 in a winter coat? What if you rediscovered.. your vision?)
: In your underwear drawer (why not?)
: In your office, in that file, or that digital folder titled, “What’s this again?” or “Remember this” or “Don’t Forget”
: In your car, under the seat, where you’re sure to lose (and then find) something later.
And, some places more reliable:
Your bathroom mirror, or the shower wall.
Your phone lock screen.
The monthly strategy time block on your calendar (you have one, right?)
A laminated card in your wallet beside your Soopers Card.
Or, just set a reminder on your calendar to come back to these pages. You can keep it simple.
And one last thing…
Laugh.
Laugh!
It is always the next best step.
Find something funny:
Tickle your kids
Tickle your spouse
YouTube your fave comedian (or Johnny Carson — classic!)
Watch your favorite feel-good movie. (Already did? Play it again!)
Play Twister.
Or, try a laughing meditation:
(Compliments of Alan Watts. He’s famous. Give it a try, every morning if you have to.)
1. Stand up.
2. Laugh out loud for five minutes. (Fake it if you have to.)
That’s it.
Or, whatever makes you laugh — do that. (You might even call this… celebrating.)
We’re more effective when we start happy.
The Beginning.
(Final Notes + such)
Everything here is Copyright (c) Elevationist 2014.
It’s a work of love for you — as a client and fellow elevating business owner.
If you found it fabulous or helpful (or both), please let me know: [email protected]
And let me know what good stuff you came up with!