Spirituality: The Key to Future Entrepreneurship
Writing this article took me quite some time since I knew it most likely marks a departure from the usual business format. I wanted to make it truly unique and dedicated to a topic that holds immense significance for many of us, yet often remains misunderstood. It is the force of my life, my inspiration, and my creativity, even though I understand that discussing or even mentioning it within the realm of business may raise eyebrows for some. Nevertheless, I felt compelled to do so in order to challenge the status quo, break this taboo, and openly declare my integration of spirituality into every aspect of my life. No, I do not talk about religion or the esoteric. So keep reading!
Spirituality is the foundation of my life, whether I'm working as an advisor for visionary entrepreneurs and leaders, making an impact as a person of influence, expressing my creativity, or pursuing my own entrepreneurial endeavors. It is not just something I do; it is an integral part of my being. So, welcome to this special article and the first edition of my ✨MuseLetter✨ (published on LinkedIn), where we explore the profound significance of spirituality for future entrepreneurship and its ability to shape and elevate our paths to success.
Spirituality: Embracing Being Human
In the bustling world of modern entrepreneurship, it's all too easy to get swept away by external pressures and lose touch with our true essence. However, it's essential to set the record straight and shed light on the true nature of spirituality. Recently, I posed a question on my social media platform, asking people what spirituality means to them. The responses varied, ranging from esoteric practices and beliefs in celestial beings to listening to spirits and delving into the occult. But let me clarify: that's not what spirituality is about.
At its core, spirituality is far simpler and more profound than these otherworldly notions or intricate rituals. It's about embracing life in all its facets and recognizing that each one of us is more than just our minds or bodies. We are energy. We are boundless potential - let this sink in for a moment! And for those of you who have experienced that exhilarating moment of inspiration when a fresh solution to a problem suddenly emerges, you know exactly what I'm referring to. Spirituality, also known as our genius, life force, and creativity, is a powerful and beautiful energy that drives us, guides us, and provides us with inner wisdom. It doesn't rely on external authorities or higher beings because we already possess everything we need to transcend our own limitations. That, my wonderful human being, is spirituality.
There's no need for esoteric practices or mystical rituals, although rituals can be helpful in creating conditions for personal contemplation or meditative routines. Spirituality is about embracing our humanity and reconnecting with our deepest, authentic selves. Now, you might be wondering, why does this matter in the context of entrepreneurship or any business at all?
Beyond the Doing: Restoring Balance in Entrepreneurship
In the realm of conventional entrepreneurship and business, there is often an overemphasis on the mechanics of "doing"—strategies, tools, and frameworks—while neglecting the profound importance of "being." Within this context, the significance of personality has been reduced to a mere commodity known as personal branding. In doing so, the profound potency of purpose as a guiding force has been diluted. In this regard, the purpose has become entangled in the realm of self-marketing rather than serving as a steadfast inner compass, clarity, and orientation.
The truth is a considerable number of entrepreneurs and business professionals, spanning various industries, find themselves grappling with a profound sense of disorientation and an underlying void. While they may put up a front of external success, the reality behind closed doors tells a different story. Misuse of substances, the relentless toll of burnout, the weight of depression, the physical manifestations of stress such as high blood pressure and heart disease, lonely evenings and weekends devoid of fulfillment, and strained relationships—all these symptoms bear witness to the inner turmoil and emptiness that pervade their lives. These manifestations serve as undeniable indicators of the disorientation and inner void experienced by many in the entrepreneurial and business world.
This imbalance has fostered an excessive reliance on rational analysis, relegating intuition and gut feelings to the sidelines, severing entrepreneurs from their inner wisdom and authenticity. It is vital to recognize that genuine success lies not only in the actions we take but also in our ability to align those actions with what resonates at our core.
You may wonder why I consider myself knowledgeable enough to discuss and explore spirituality. Life itself led me to this understanding. It may sound like schmalz, but it is true, though. In my late 20s, I experienced a severe bout of exhaustion that caused me to question every aspect of my life, both big and small. During that transformative period, I felt a strong inner calling to venture into uncharted territories, despite the skepticism of friends and family. Only a few truly understood what I was doing. However, it took nearly another decade for me to publicly acknowledge and embrace what was brewing within me. I changed my expressions and language but tried to avoid it, even denied to acknowledge my spirituality when asked about it. I referred to it as intuition, vitality, creativity, and a profound sense of connection with others and social dynamics. It wasn't until my teacher looked me in the eye and said, "Nicole, just embrace it. This is spirituality," that I realized the truth. My life had already been a reflection of it—I was simply too shy to call it by its true name.
The Call for Wholeness: Integrating Spirituality into Future Entrepreneurship
To fully embrace spirituality in the realm of entrepreneurship, we must transcend our fixation on tools and frameworks. While these resources have undeniable value, they should not overshadow our innate intuition and instincts. By attentively listening to the guidance that emanates from within, we tap into a profound well of wisdom, enabling us to make decisions that resonate with our true selves. Trusting our intuition becomes an indispensable element of the entrepreneurial journey. This literally means being an entrepreneur. But there is another aspect to it: While "doing" entrepreneurial activities can generate short-term results, it is the essence of "being" that sustains long-term survival. It allows you to build genuine relationships, inspire others, and create a lasting impact. Isn't this one of the beautiful motivations why many of us become entrepreneurs in the first place: transforming our purpose into impact? By nurturing our "being" as an entrepreneur, we become a beacon of authenticity, innovation, and positive change in our field. Being an entrepreneur is not just about personal success; it is about inspiring growth within our community: our clients, our employees, our suppliers, the guy next door, the person who wouldn't have dared to do whatever without us being this magnificent person and therefore orientation. They all take us as an example - consciously or subconsciously. Our own journey of personal development becomes a catalyst for the growth of those around us - especially if we aim for changing the status quo in our circle, market, bioregion, or even the world. Let's face it, as entrepreneurs we are people of influence - whether we like it or not. By showing up as we truly are, and I mean those humane and incredible spirits as we are, we create a ripple effect that fosters a culture of continuous improvement and empowers others to evolve alongside us.
As we envision the future of entrepreneurship, it becomes clear that a paradigm shift is necessary to embrace the growing importance of a regenerative economy within a regenerative civilization. This shift calls for a different understanding of entrepreneurship. To meet the demands of this evolving landscape, we have to wholeheartedly embrace spirituality as a vital component for the holistic development of the entrepreneurial persona. By seamlessly integrating spirituality into entrepreneurship, we recognize that wholeness encompasses not only our external actions but also our internal alignment with our values, purpose, and intuition. This integration unlocks the true potential of our entrepreneurial genius.
Unleashing The Entrepreneurial Genius
I see this in my work again and again: what keeps someone stuck and grappling is trying to fix the outside without growing on the inside first. So many of us experienced already that those old approaches don't work anymore and others of us are about to learn that. So we need to go different ways. I can say this because I have been there too. And I can say with certainty: as soon as we start to embrace spirituality in our entrepreneurship, start being as human as we can be, and show our vulnerability and insecurity when we feel them, we tap into this remarkable fusion of skills, talents, and creative insights that reside within each of us—the entrepreneurial genius.
By nurturing our connection with our authentic selves and integrating spirituality into our entrepreneurial endeavors, we tap into an infinite wellspring of inspiration and boundless creative potential. This empowers us to profoundly impact the world while experiencing deep personal fulfillment. Isn't that a way better version of entrepreneurship than just doing it?
We all have to walk our way of life alone, but we can ask for help and guidance if needed. By embodying your spirit of being, you unleash your full potential as an entrepreneur, making a profound difference in both your own life and the world around you. I would love to see you making this difference and walking in the beauty of your own light!
I hope you found my reflections helpful. For a continuous flow of inspiration straight to your inbox, subscribe to my ✨MuseLetter✨ (published as a monthly edition on LinkedIn), or even better: become a member of my exclusive ✨MuseChannel✨ on Telegram. By doing so, you'll be intimately connected to my work, my being, and my doing. See you inside!
Wishing you beauty and joy,
Nicole
The Essence Within: Embrace Your Transition
A transformative week-long contemplation journey where you'll reconnect with your boundless potential. Through daily sessions focused on love, truth, courage, and clarity, you will rediscover the powerful forces within you. I designed this contemplation to remind you that you are more than just mind and body. Embrace your transition and unlock your self-empowerment.