The Holistic Path to Your Next Big Idea

THE HOLISTIC PATH TO YOUR NEXT BIG IDEA

Article by Kimberly Manning
Photo Credit: Mariana Garcia
Magazine: Issue #25

Holistic Path to Your Next Big Idea

In our go-go world, it seems that successful folks simply pop or drop into their brilliant idea or business. It may look like they’ve achieved instant success, but the truth is, there’s foundational work to be done on the way to your next big thing. Oh, and PS: it’s an inside job.

It’s easy to get lost in the warp speed world of business, with its heavy dose of masculine and addiction to high energy. What can get lost is the (w)holistic path to your next big thing. In order to move forward, you’ve got to go within. Here’s the Integrative Living Design perspective.

Place your idea in the Cosmic Womb. Whatever you are ruminating in your heart or head, give it over to the Great Mother of All Things. Divine inspiration and guidance are two of the gifts you’ll receive when you let the cosmic womb of your higher consciousness work. 

I’ve had clients who write their idea on a piece of paper, literally plant that in a potted plant or garden, and then turn it over to the cosmos. Just like a seed germinating in the earth, your ideas need time to be nurtured, to gather energy, to stretch. All before they emerge above the surface. 

Shhhh. While things are gestating, preserve the energy of your idea by keeping it to yourself. Often we get excited and we want to share our idea with a friend or colleague, however, this dissipates the energy. Not to mention that a well-meaning but critical comment could send you and your confidence off the tracks. 

Until you’re ready for primetime, don’t share. There will be ample time to gather folks round your campfire to discuss, tweak, etc., but in the fragile time of your idea’s birthing, keep it quiet.

Walk through liminal space. Liminal comes from the Latin word for “a threshold.” Liminal space is that delicate place between where things have been percolating quietly and the open air. Many people struggle with this in-between time. It’s messy and a little uncomfortable as you learn new ways of being and doing. Instead of fighting, embrace this sacred space. Understand that you’re entering new terrain, that you can’t and don’t know everything yet, and that in the uncertainty lies potential. Walk through that space, confidently and with trust in your abilities. So much lies across that threshold.

The holistic path to your next step begins with a focus inward. By taking the time to go inward, you allow your idea to crystallize and energize. It will emerge into the world|marketplace in right timing and with great strength. 

Guided Meditation as a Business Tool

Guided Meditation as a Business Tool

GUIDED MEDITATION AS A BUSINESS TOOL

Article by John Scardina
Photo Credit: Mariana Garcia
Magazine: Issue #25

Have you ever tried a Guided Meditation? There are so many available from coaches, mystics, and practitioners of all kinds. You know the type of meditation that brings you towards a predetermined path to relaxation, bliss, healing, rest or a multitude of other achievable goals. Many of these meditations are short in length and easy to perform. Most only needing about 30 minutes of your undivided attention. A few moments with your subconscious with so many benefits. Some of my favorite guided meditations bring me to places I have never visited other than in my subconscious. Beautiful peaceful colorful places filled with nothing but positive energies, people and scenarios.

To try this practice, (and this is only an example). Always start with relaxing position laying or sitting down in a quite space with your eyes closed. Focus on your breathe next, inhale and exhale being conscious of each breathe. Just breathe normally for several breathes in this manner. Now in your mind’s eye create a peaceful space. This can be a seaside beach, a lush green forest, or even a mythical place Create as much detail and color as you can, but don’t push it too hard, piece it together slowly. Once you have this visual in your mind maybe start walking around in this space, what do you see? Depending where you have placed yourself maybe a long ocean beach with gentle waves flowing across the sand. What color sand, is it a sunny warm day or a light and gentle rain occurring, be creative. Are there people in the water, are there boats, maybe even horses on the beach Build this in your mind again with detail. The possibilities are limitless and you are completely in control of this meditation. Now remembering all of this detail and taking it in in your mind walk back to where you started and feel blissful with this scenario that you have created and slowly open your eyes and return yourself to your life. Again this is just basics of a guided meditation.

Now for the fun part, try this guided meditation with a business twist. Begin with details of your particular business in mind. Are you a coach, an artist, a practitioner of any sort? Add details in your business that may need some rough edges resolved. You can create in your mind, meeting your ideal client, marketing plans or a public presentation. Again be creative with whatever your individual business needs remember to add as much detail as you can. Meditating on these subjects can prepare your subconscious for anything that that lies ahead in regards to your business. Planning in your mind’s eye can prepare you for many of your business needs, before the need is a reality. Practice this and see how helpful it can be.

Find Your Next Awesome Idea: 21 Resources for Business & Life

Find Your Next Awesome Idea: 21 Resources for Business & Life

Article by Kimberly Manning
Photo Credit: Mariana Garcia
Magazine: Issue #25

21 Resources for Business & Life

Ideas are the currency of the future. As a Holistic Fashionista, your ability to come up with great ideas and turn them into things your customers need and will buy is key to your livelihood. 

Going to the well for innovative ideas doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some places to look for new and exciting ideas.

1| Your competitors. Do what they do, differently or better.

2| Your own life. What would make your life easier? What pisses you off? What problem needs to be solved? Solutions to these may make your life better while also being the answer to your clients’ challenges.

3| Kids. Inspirational fonts.

4| Nature. Take a walk outside or watch The Blue Planet. Did you know bees are a great model for business operations? 

5| Your employees. They see things you may not.

6| Brainstorming sessions. Duh.

7| Customers. They can help you spot and develop new products, services or maybe even a new industry. Listen to their feedback.

8| Focus groups. Gather a posse of potential clients and let ‘em riff. Take notes.

9| Meditation. Quieting a busy mind allows Divine sparks to light up your life.

10| Play ball. Spin, or shake your Zumba. Studies show that those who exercise regularly score higher on creativity tests than their couch potato peers.

11| Other industries. Can you morph what they’re doing into something unique for your business?

12| Sci-Fi. Or other movies. Seriously. Good. Inspiration.

13| Books. Be a voracious reader. Ideas live in every genre.

14| Be present to life. Simply paying attention to your daily experience will show you opportunities.

15| Make art. Do improv, or learn a musical instrument. Opening your creative side will make you more aware and receptive to new things, including ideas.

16| Hang with smart people. Take them to lunch, go to a Science Pub Night or Poetry Slam or chat up a new FaceBook group. 

17| Make some new friends. Ideally outside your industry. Cross-pollination, different perspectives and such.

18| Take a class. At your local community college, Udemy, etc. In your field -- or something wildly different. 

19| Look at existing products with a fresh eye. The “patch” as a delivery system for drugs is a spiffed up Band-Aid. What can you transfer to your biz?

20| Get out of Dodge. Someplace foreign is best. Psychologists say multicultural experiences facilitate the complex cognitive processes behind innovative thinking. That’s a nice souvenir. 

21| Give yourself a test. Being open to new ideas means your mind has to be plastic. Pop quiz: Think of as many uses for a brick? A strand of tinsel? How many uses you come up with, the originality and elaborateness of your ideas are key. “Testing” yourself may just shine light on some great insight for your business.

3 Common Mistakes Holistic Business Women Make with “Clean” Eating

3 COMMON MISTAKES HOLISTIC BUSINESS
WOMEN MAKE WITH "CLEAN" EATING

Clean Eating Mistakes

Article by Angela Anderson
Photo Credit: Mariana Garcia
Magazine: Issue #25

Eating clean is not necessarily salads and smoothies. As a fitness instructor and health & fitness coach working with holistic women to tone up their bodies, the answer is not all about your fitness routine. If you want to tone up your body, you must look at these three common mistakes about clean eating that you could be making. 

Common Mistake #1: Protein Shakes

There are all kinds of protein shakes on the market, unfortunately many of them full of crapistic ingredients, including sugar. Unless you like the flavor of grass or air, you most likely have to add fruit to your shakes in order to enjoy them. The artificial junk that most protein shakes have, plus the added fruit you need in order to actually drink them does not do you any favors when you want to really tone up your body.

Tip:  Don’t just buy any old protein powder. Do your research. Eating enough protein does help your muscles, but adding fats, super-foods, and fiber really ups the steaks! 

Common Mistake #2: Skinny This and Single Serving That

I know you are busy AND because you are a health conscious, holistic woman. Between work, family, workouts, and other obligations you probably eat on the go at times. Remember, those low-calorie snacks you are grabbing are full of sugar. Yes – even the savory snacks. 

Tip:  Eat as much lean protein, natural fats, and non-starchy vegetables as you possible can. This will increase satiety and you will not be as hungry all the time, plus it will support you to beat sugar addiction and get toned up!

Common Mistake #3: Constant Carbohydrate Loading

If you eat carbohydrates constantly throughout your day, then all you are doing is spiking your insulin, turning the unused sugars into fat, and then depositing the fat onto your hips, stomach, and thighs. A typical carbohydrate filled “clean” eating day looks like: oatmeal for breakfast, some sort of wrap for lunch, granola bar for snack, protein shake with fruit post workout, and lean meat, veggies, and grains for dinner.  

Tip: Follow the ritual of eating your of carbohydrates after a tough workout. Your muscles LOVE sugar immediately after a workout and will eat it right up to help them grow and repair. 

Is Outsourcing the Best Option for Your Company?

IS OUTSOURCING THE BEST OPTION FOR YOUR COMPANY? 

Article by Marlo Wright
Photo Credit: Mariana Garcia
Magazine: Issue #25

Outsourcing for Your Company

With so many available outsourcing options for the busy entrepreneur at so many different price levels, the challenge is finding the right person for your team. 

An outsourced member of your team, is still a team member. It is YOUR responsibility to check behind, followup with and stay in constant contact with the team member, even if overseas. Just as any other employee in your office, people unfortunately have the tendency to skate around the corners and not do things quite exactly as you would. This is the challenging part. Too many cut corners can equal low quality in your produced outcome. This could mean bad business and your customers level of expectations are not being met. 

The saying is, trust, but verify. Trust what employees tell you they’re doing— Verify every step of the way. In the early stages, especially, this is critical to your public image and company foundation. Misleading, poor quality, or deficient customer service can hurt your business before it takes off, and damages could potentially be irreversible. 

There are several outsourcing sites/companies from music, to commercials, to personal assistants, varying in prices and features from which to choose. Remember, you get what you pay for, and though choosing the least expensive option seems to make sense as you count every penny, it may not yield the best return on your investment. Every dollar, even if it's five dollars is important and should be spent wisely! 

Do you need the help? Often times, we are told that we should get rid of the tasks that are “not worth your time”, but, if you’re having to redo those tasks, you've now wasted time, money and energy. Ultimately the frustration from the situation can spiral you into a negative space that in turn wastes more time. 

Patience. The right outsourcing opportunity will come at the right time. 

Here are 5 ways to make sure you’re making the best outsourcing decisions for your emerging company:

1| Is it necessary? Doing what we have to do vs what we want to do can impair our better judgement. As the owner of the company, it’s your job to know a little about each position before delegating. Therefore, spend some time actually doing the assignment before giving it to someone else. That way, you’ll have a working knowledge of how it should work.

2| What are my sourcing options? Do the research. Ask for referrals. Check references. 

3| How much help can I afford? Never give cart blanche assignments. Rather give in small hourly increments. Write it in your budget.

4| How long will I need help? Is this an unlimited time frame or a specific project you'll need help with?

5| What specific duties will they accomplish? Create a specific job description, though it can be tailored as your needs change. 

Ultimately outsourcing means your business is growing, or showing signs of growth. As stressful as it can be, you have to exercise patience and positive thinking to get you through. You won’t know it all, and you’ll learn a lot that will make your business grow all the more.