Four things I learned in 2023
2023 was a wild ride, a year of transformation. After a few years of building a successful consulting firm, I decided to take a leap into a new realm of work—to lean into my purpose and allow it to light the way in new, deep, and powerful ways.
So, I became The Business Healer. I formally changed my business name and the nature of my work, merging the strategist I've been outwardly for years with the inner healer who has quietly, privately been helping myself and others.
Not surprisingly, going deep into my own light meant discovering inner shadows I hadn't anticipated, namely fears I'd been carrying for years, consciously and unconsciously. I knew I'd need to shed these to truly step into my life's work, so I faced and began healing them. This journey has enriched me as a person, business owner, and healer.
Here are the life-wisdom nuggets that 2023 gifted to me:
1. Living your purpose will require leaps.
For years, I wasn't sure what my purpose was. I just focused on getting a job that engaged and challenged me, that developed me as a professional, and that helped me pay my bills. But the work didn't speak to my soul. At some point, I realized that I would need to create my work, as my purpose wasn't going to show up as an "off-the-shelf" opportunity.
Making that leap surfaced my hidden inner fears, limiting beliefs, and worries. I also discovered that my leap into purpose triggered others' fears, especially about money and security.
No one said living your purpose feels safe or comfortable (at least, not at the beginning). But why, of all things, would your life's work activate all your baggage? Because the universe likes playing chicken. And if your purpose weren't important, leaps that required you to overcome your "stuff" wouldn't be necessary.
Also, if you’re pursuing your life purpose, expect that the pathway there will call you to navigate your own fears and those of others who care about you.
2. Happiness (success, love, etc) is an inside job.
This one is simple. Your thoughts and focus tend to attract matching experiences. As above, so below. As within, so without.
For instance, people who constantly worry about being sick tend to get sick. People who focus on other people's shortcomings don't usually see or own their own. People who tend to complain have a hard time seeing the good in things. Positive people tend to attract positive experiences. Energy follows thought. What you focus on, tends to manifest. What you give, you also receive.
So, if you want to experience anything specific—happiness, success, love, joy, freedom, abundance, etc.—use this “principle of correspondence” to your advantage, on purpose. Think the thoughts and feel the feelings that match what you want to experience. At first, doing this feels good, and then, over time, the wisdom of this approach reveals itself.
3. Wholeness creates magic.
When you walk around with the perspective of feeling full, complete, sufficient—like you have everything you need—you will experience wonderful things. However, most people don't do that. Instead, they focus on what's missing, broken, not where they want it to be, how it's failing, what could be better.
Use the 80/20 rule. Focus your efforts and energy on the 80% that is working out, going well, popping, fire, etc. Sit back and observe as magic unfolds.
4. Slow down. Time with family and friends is the point.
When you love work or own a business, there's no end to what you "could be" doing. Even when your body is elsewhere, work is often on your mind. This means that tasks, ideas, projects, and obligations could fill up every living moment…and possibly beyond.
Recently, I took it easy for three days straight. I'd run out of energy! Simply resting made it starkly clear how, even though I love my work, I'd unconsciously acclimated to filling every moment with work.
This is not balanced, and it's not healthy. Plus, it's beside the point of living and enjoying your life, sharing meaningfully with family and friends. So, next year, I'm committing to regular unstructured, "unproductive" time—on purpose. I invite you to join me.
I hope you equally savor the gifts and lessons of 2023. And if we haven't spoken in a bit, I'd be thrilled to reconnect and hear what the year taught you, too. Wishing you all the best for a bright and prosperous 2024!
