9 Ways Yoga Can Make You a Better Entrepreneur
Life has been a wild and unpredictable adventure since I launched my freelancing career. Where once I had stability in the form of steady income, a schedule, and certain responsibilities, I’m now navigating a professional world where every day is unlike the one before.
It’s both exciting and terrifying, and it challenges me in many beneficial ways.
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that along the way I have been diving deeper into my yoga practice. Having been a consistent beginner for over 10 years, something finally clicked when I realized there is a direct relationship between my yoga practice and my ability to cultivate the qualities of creativity and leadership required for working on my own.
Some of the concepts below stem from the practice of yoga, others from Buddhism, meditation, or the simple experience of being on a spiritual journey. Together, they combine to provide insightful lessons that can be applied to entrepreneurial growth or just regular ol’ life.
Getting grounded.
Just as it’s important to center yourself as you begin your yoga practice, so it is with entrepreneurship. If you don’t start with a solid foundation of an idea that has personal relevance, and a plan to execute it, you’re going to struggle and experience many more setbacks than if you were firmly rooted in the source of creation. This element of yoga helps any ambitious endeavor get off to a good start.
Finding balance.
There will be days when balance comes easily and days when you’re wobbly. But through the simple act of practicing the same pose again and again – continuously incorporating micro-corrections as you develop a deeper understanding of your unique body and the pose itself – you will find that balance comes more easily over time. Having your own business, especially if it’s based out of your home, run alongside a full-time job, or is demanding on your family time, is a true testament of balance. Some days you’ll feel like superwoman effortlessly on top of it all, and other days you will falter. This is a reminder to try again tomorrow.
Cultivating beginner’s mind.
Neither a student of yoga nor an aspiring entrepreneur should assume they have all the answers or compare themselves to someone who is far more experienced and accomplished. Instead, it’s much more helpful to acknowledge where you are today and open your mind to learning from both those who are experts and renowned mentors, and those who are just a few steps ahead of you (these people are likely more accessible for feedback on a personal level). Embracing beginner’s mind will prevent frustration, arrogance, and only grazing the surface of your true potential. This mindset can help you attract the knowledge and wisdom to create a much more meaningful experience in both work and yoga.
Strengthening the core.
While many think that flexibility is the essential quality to being “good at” yoga, what I’ve learned is that it’s actually core strength that requires more attention and allows for greater ease within challenging asanas. Focusing on your core creates a naturally deeper connection between your body, mind, and spirit. It’s challenging and takes time, but is ultimately what builds both physical and emotional strength and character. As an entrepreneur you are also going to grow from the outside in with practice. You’ll start with superficial things like your website, logo, and basic offerings, but with time you’ll realize that it’s the core of your message that really matters. It’s your purpose, your mission, your big WHY that is the real source of your power.
Laughing at yourself.
Self-laughter inevitably comes with practice if you don’t take yourself too seriously. Sometimes you will fall awkwardly, knock over furniture, and just look or feel ridiculous in your attempts to get fancy, and that’s ok. In fact, it’s fun! It’s part of the process of growth and exploration. When you’re trying to start or grow a businesses you will also experience flops, try weird things just to see what happens, and question your sanity. The more you can have a sense of humor about the failures the happier you’ll be throughout the process. And why do this at all if it doesn’t bring a smile to your face?
Stillness.
With the multi-faceted nature of business ownership comes the tendency to be and feel busy all the time. Rather than having one job it often likes you have 6 or 7 because there is a such a wide range of skills and tasks required. However, just as a good yoga practice has periods of rest and comfort built into the sequence – not to mention the bliss and essential ritual of shavasana at the end – so too is it important to slow down and chill out in your work life. This sacred balance between action and stillness is ultimately what will create a sense of sustainability as you progress in your business. This valuable reminder is one that will.
Sangha.
This word comes from the Buddhist tradition and basically refers to the immense benefit of being surrounded by a community of like-minded people who are on a similar path. Isn’t it wonderful to share what you learn and hear about the experiences of others who also practice yoga and meditation? The same is true in entrepreneurship. Whether it’s productivity methods, technology or information resources, networking opportunities, or even just commiserating with someone who will understand your struggle, a professional sangha is truly priceless. Don’t do it alone, find your tribe.
Dharana.
This is the 6th stage or limb of Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga and refers to holding your focus or concentration steady for a sustained period of time. It is the ultimate practice of meditation as we aim to experience pure being free from the distractions of thought. Not an easy skill to master, especially if you’re the creative type with a seemingly endless stream of ideas… as many entrepreneurs tend to be. The downfall of a creative and ambitious mind in business is often that we jump from idea to idea too quickly, continuously distracted by some new project or initiative while not sustaining our concentration on any single thing long enough to see any real results or benefits. This leaves us with a fragmented business, lack of a clear target audience, shifting offerings, or brand confusion. Sound familiar? You can’t reach enlightenment without Dharana and your success will be limited without sustained concentration in your work, so choose a path and stick to it!
Pausing for reflection.
We tend to complicate and rush almost everything in life, including both work and personal pursuits. We want to go from beginner to teacher, or from freelancer to 6-figure entrepreneur, in as short a time as possible, and as a result we miss much of the authentic experience of self-discovery and growth. We also risk cutting corners and lacking integrity in our relationships along the way. Pausing to reflect and truly understand what you’re doing in order to continue doing it with alignment, connection, and whole-heartedness are the real gems of the journey in both yoga practice and entrepreneurship. Motivation and action can change the world, but they must come from a source of love and understanding, not ego.
I have no doubt that this list merely grazes the surface of the many connections between spiritual exploration and the burgeoning realm of entrepreneurship.
Are you a spiritual entrepreneur?