The Highest of Arts

Small business owners can experience more prosperity, success and fulfillment by better understanding this core principle: Who you are BEING has more to do with your success than what you are DOING. What do I mean by who you are being? I am talking about your state of being -- how you are showing up -- the quality of your presence. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look. To affect the quality of the day--that is the highest of arts. Henry David Thoreau Your state of being in the present moment has an impact on the quality of your future, regardless of what you are doing.  Reflect on these scenarios and the energy “states” listed below them.  What impact do you notice? Do you feel energized or do you feel your energy diminishing?  My point isn’t so much what the impact IS, as it is THAT you feel an impact.  This is about raising your awareness of your “being” state and your understanding that it has a direct impact on the results you produce.  Doing: writing a business plan. Who are you being about writing your business plan? Obligated, annoyed, resentful Stressed Excited, enthusiastic Visionary, possibility thinker Doing: attending a networking event. Who are you being at the networking event? Shy, afraid, tentative Needy Self centered Open, interested Curious, caring Doing: presenting a proposal to a prospective client. Who are you being in the presentation? Pushy, impatient Uncertain Uncomfortable Connected, competent, listening Confident, authentic, passionate The impact of who you are being in the moment has an impact, for you, other around you and the results you produce. Not what you do, but how you do what you do determines whether you are fulfilling your destiny. And how you do what you do is determined by your state of consciousness. Eckhart Tolle I used to be a work-a-holic. I valued accomplishment above relationship, and goal achievement above well-being and balance. I measured my value based on my activity. I needed to keep busy so I could feel like I was earning my place or my salary. People around me often felt uncomfortable and stressed. And, I was driven by a belief that whatever I did was not good enough. These patterns of behavior eventually drove the bus of my life into an emotional and physical ditch. I was on the verge of emotional breakdown and I had depleted my adrenal glands.   It was only then that I finally confronted my unhealthy patterns. I learned that a state of consciousness focused on “doing” didn’t work.  So, I decided to practice focusing on “being.” The results were immediately noticeable and surprising. For example, I noticed that the sun rose in the east and set in the west every day, regardless of whether I had crossed everything off my “to do” list, or not. I began mastering the art of delegation, walking out of the office at 6 pm every night, and I began building a life outside of work. I discovered my strengths and learned how to build on them, instead of focusing on fixing my flaws. I discovered my core values, and began honoring them more fully. Often in the beginning, it took a lot of courage to take an action that honored my well-being, versus satisfying the wants and needs of others.  Over time, I profoundly transformed the quality of my life in all areas, including health, financial, relationships, and career.  You don’t have to end up in the ditch like I did. Start raising your self-awareness today. Observe your state of “being” every day for a week. Stop several times a day, check in with yourself, and notice what you are doing. Then ask yourself, “Who am I being right now?” If there is a difference between who you are being and who you choose to be, identify and focus on one quality of being you want to call forth in that moment. For example, you are about to meet with a prospective client and you notice that you are feeling “needy.”  Ask yourself, “What do I want to feel right now?”  (i.e.: generous, abundant, confident, connected)  Name it. Hold it as your intention as you meet with your prospective client. Notice your experience and the result.  How will you affect the quality of your day? Your life? Your work? It’s up to you. 2008-05-17T16:10:00Z

2008-05-18T17:36:37Z

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the-highest-of-arts

2008-05-18T17:36:06Z

Small business owners can experience more prosperity, success, and fulfillment  by better undestanding this core principle: who you are BEING has more to do with your success than what you are DOING.  <div>  </div>

The Highest of Arts

2009-02-24T09:44:26Z