The Integral Business Development System

Are you good at getting things done? Making this happen?

Then you’re probably very focused and determined, which obviously serves you well.

So “the power of letting go” may seem contradictory to you! Where is the “power” in letting go? How can you get anything done, if you “let go”?

Also, “letting go” may seem very alien to you.

After all these years of persevering and hanging on in spite of all the difficulties you may have faced, you may not even be clear about how to “let go”!

Well, being focused and determined can be a double-edged sword.

• Being too focused can cause a person to become too rigid or set in their ways. When you’re very focused on something, your vision automatically narrows — in other words, you begin filtering out everything that doesn’t fit the very specific outcome that you’re after. As a result, you’re more likely to miss unexpected opportunities.
• Additionally, you might try to control situations and people — things that are really beyond your control — in an attempt to accomplish what you want. And this usually makes you more stressed than anything else.

In these situations, control, focus and “trying harder” aren’t always useful.

Instead, accepting reality and letting go of things you can’t really control can paradoxically open up new possibilities and opportunities.

Here’s what I mean:

When I first started my business, I had a very specific idea of the kind of practice I wanted to build. So I was completely focused on a particular business model.

As a result, I often didn’t recognize or capitalize on other business opportunities that showed up.

For instance, very early on in my business, someone had approached me about creating CDs and videos of my speaking engagements, and converting those into self-coaching products.

I declined this offer, since my focus was on building a service practice.

Meanwhile, as I worked hard to build my one-on-one business practice, I asked my coach for help: how could I do this more effectively?

I was pushing to hard, she said. I needed to let go and allow the business to unfold and guide me.

I was perplexed. I didn’t understand how to “allow” things to unfold. My business would perish if I didn’t “do” things!

To help me understand this concept of letting go and allowing things to happen, my coach suggested I engage in restorative yoga.

Frankly, I couldn’t see the point. But I did it anyway; I had nothing to lose. And I must say, I was surprised!

What I immediately learned from doing restorative yoga was how tightly I held my body. And that if I relaxed and let go, I could sink into the pose more easily, and emerge from it truly rejuvenated.

Once I applied this same concept to my business, two things happened:

1. I was able to let go of the specific outcomes that I had my heart set on
2. I was able to recognize and accept reality, and use it to my advantage.

In other words, I expanded my offerings to accommodate what people wanted (instead of insisting on working with people in my preferred way).

So I now offer self-paced programs for those who want an affordable and flexible way to work on a topic in more detail; single consultations for those who want a “jump start” and prefer to do so in a private setting; and of course the comprehensive coaching programs for those who have the resources and really want to roll up their sleeves and do what it takes to permanently resolve an issue that’s important to them.

Several years later — now that I’m better able to let go and allow reality to guide me — I’m doing something very similar to the business offer I declined many years ago.

So, what about you?

Are allowing reality to guide you? Or are you trying to guide it?

A Powerful Tutorial

First, do this:

If you’re struggling to accomplish something, start by reflecting on these questions:

• What am I trying to accomplish? Why is this?
• What specific outcomes do I want? How did I choose these?
• What is the reality of a particular situation?
• What other ways and options are there to accomplish my end goal, given the current reality?

To take it a level deeper, try this: Practice “letting go” in a different way. Try doing restorative yoga once a week. Yoga Journal’s Yoga for Relaxation and Meditation offers a good program. When you do this, pay attention to your experience: How does this practice affect your thoughts? Your mood? Your attitude towards your current problems?

For more information on how to use this approach to excel at what you do, enjoy long-term success and savor life, schedule a free (and nondecision-making) consultation. There is no obligation to buy anything, ever.

Call 650-704-5384, or submit the form below:

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