A little while back, I shared one of my favourite quotes:
The grass isn’t greener on the other side.
It’s greener where you water it.
It’s such an uplifting thought, to know that you have the power to create and nurture your own happiness and success! What you choose to focus on becomes your reality. This is the Law of Attraction in its most basic essence.
And it isn’t just grass. Life is a garden! You have the power to lay the groundwork, till the land, and grow the flowers of your soul (veggies, herbs, and the like too, of course!) This runs both ways though. That means, if you continue to water a garden full of weeds (the negatives), then that is what you will grow.
This is just as true when it comes to your business. If you focus solely on negatives, the what-if worries and if-only regrets, then that is the kind of energy you will attract in return. But when you know yourself, trust your instinct, and have confidence in your vision, your garden will grow and flourish! Of course it’s important to recognise past missteps, but if you dwell on mistakes and doubt your worth, you may find yourself blind to important lessons that will allow you to grow your business and manifest the future you dream of.
Remember, it isn’t rocket science; it’s gardening! Anyone can do it if they take the time and put in the effort. Yes, many gardens require advanced skill and expertise, just as many careers require training. If that is the garden you want to grow, you will have to put in the inspired action to make it happen. But as a soul-aligned individual, you have the choice. No one else gets to decide how you chart your journey; it’s your path to walk. What you put into it though – your energy, your thoughts, the actions you take – that is what shapes your future!
The Value Of Nurturing A Growth Mindset
While I love the garden analogy, let’s break down in a more express manner.
As I’ve said above, what you focus on is what you attract. This is true in all spheres of your world; mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. The energy you exude, the people you connect with; every part of your journey is affected by the law of attraction, whether you realise it or not. This is especially true as an entrepreneur, as you are already directing so much of your energy to your business. It can feel like an extension of yourself, and to a degree, it is! It takes up a lot of space in your mind and requires a lot of your focus and energy.
So it is no wonder that you, as a business owner, might find yourself doubting your plans and worrying about your future. And unfortunately, this negativity can manifest in notable ways like anxiety and burnout, which in turn can affect your confidence in your business and yourself. Not much fun getting stuck on this merry-go-round!
In contrast though, positive thought and positive self-talk will lift you up! When you find yourself second-guessing your dreams or unable to take action due to self-doubt, finding the positives is the first step towards lightening your load.
This isn’t to say you should ignore your mistakes or avoid thinking about the future. That would be ridiculous! Rather, be mindful of your thoughts and internal language. You have the power to choose how you think about your experiences. Take them as lessons; exercises meant to strengthen your ability to problem-solve and overcome adversity. They are what help you grow as an entrepreneur. The result? The knowledge and experience that allow you to plan for the future and run the business of your dreams!
Where Do I Start?
So you want to grow a garden! But where do you begin? With yourself, of course!
You have everything you need inside of you; it’s just a matter of recognising it. Yes, it can be difficult to see strength in yourself when you are just starting out; even more so when you find yourself facing an overgrown patch of weeds. But I need you to believe it. Why? Because I know it’s true! We all have the capacity to write our own story and build our dream future. And beginning with yourself, in particular your beliefs and language, is a great place to start.
Words are powerful. They have the ability to build people up and tear them down, so it’s best to handle words with care. This holds true whether you are speaking to someone else or talking to yourself. Your words are spells! They are mantras, incantations, poetry! They shape your reality and the beliefs you hold about yourself and your business.
Yet another garden-themed quote illustrates the idea, in a cute little rhyme, of course:
Your mind is a garden.
Your thoughts are the seeds.
You can grow flowers
or you can grow weeds.
If someone else were to tell you, over and over, that your business will fail, eventually you might start to believe it, right? So why is it any different when it comes to the things you tell yourself? Speaking down to yourself when you make a mistake is counterproductive. The more you associate yourself with these negative notions, the more engrained they become. Next thing you know, you genuinely believe that you and your business aren’t good enough.
Stop! That simply isn’t true! Those anxieties and doubts creeping in, you have the ability to silence them. That power is inside of you. It is your strength, your resolve, your perseverance in the face of adversity. You are the only one who gets to decide how you talk to yourself. If you make a mistake, build yourself up. Show yourself the compassion you would show another.
Remember, making mistakes is an important part of the business process. It’s how we learn. Tearing yourself down won’t help fix the problem. Having confidence in yourself and your ability to find a solution – that is what will carry you through! Everyone has their own distinct set of skills that allows them to achieve goals in their own way. You do not have to hit every milestone at the exact same time as other entrepreneurs. If you follow a timeline, make sure it’s your own. The only person who gets to decide your future is you!
Nothing Compares To You
Think of a soulpeneur you admire. What is it about them that draws you in? Their products and services? Their stunning website? Their vibe? No matter what it is, it can be tempting to try and recreate their success. So you follow their story, imitate their actions, and replicate their personal brand. Yet, something feels off. No matter what you do, you just can’t compare.
Why? Because, that isn’t you!
That isn’t your garden! Sure, you can see what they’ve grown, appreciate the vivid colour of their dahlias, admire their harvest of carrots, but that is their land. That is their garden and their output. It is the result of their own actions and intentions, combined with their own history, reality, hopes, dreams, and values. Their soil holds different nutrients; positive thoughts, lessons past, and external support. Their garden has also experienced different pests; the tough points in their life, along with their own limiting self-beliefs.
Each plot of land is different and requires different care, just as each soul is distinct and must travel along its own path. Even if you are striving for the same thing, your story will never be the same as another’s. You are unique! Your skill set is unique. There are parts of you that are above and beyond what any other soul on earth can do. Why envy your neighbours bounty when you can focus on your own?
You are an amazing individual with amazing gifts to offer. It would be a shame to hide your unique vision behind a facade. One of the most integral aspects of being a soulpreneur is authenticity. By bringing the real you into every part of your business, from your message, to your branding, to your website, to your core values, you share yourself, your soul, and your truth with the world.
Besides, trying to fit the mold just isn’t sustainable! You may find some success following trends and reproducing the path is other entrepreneurs, but in a sea of so many other similar businesses, how likely are you to stand out? Plus, chasing trends requires you to stay up-to-date on what’s current and what sells, instead of investing in your own vision. Why would you want to invest time, money, and energy into something that isn’t true to you? If you put your self in a box, there is no room to grow.
I have been there myself, so I say this from experience; at some point, it starts to weigh on you. There is nothing more freeing than living a truly authentic life; one that you have designed for yourself. And when you live your truth, it shows in everything you do. That is what draws people to you, and that is what will draw people to your business. It isn’t about having the flashiest website, the trendiest marketing, or the cheapest products and services. And it isn’t about making money. It’s about sharing who you truly are and connecting with those whose values reflect your own. Your vulnerability, that is what gets you noticed, grows your following, and leads you towards success!
Trust Yourself
There is nothing more valuable than having confidence in yourself. If your business is your dream, then you have to believe in it in order for it to come true. And to do that, you have to first believe in yourself and your vision.
Trusting your gut is a good place to start. How often have you second-guessed yourself, only to discover you were right all along? Your instincts are the wisdom of your soul, speaking through your senses. Listen! Do you even know how deep the well of wisdom runs? Our history, our experiences, our ancestors, the universe – they all provide wondrous insight. And these things are all a part of you! It’s a matter of silencing the outside noise and listening to your heart.
While external forces can be loud, taking the time to centre yourself and look within can create a space in which to seek answers. Breathing techniques, meditation, just sitting in silence; all these practices help to ground you. In your stillness, you will find answers. Trust that you know what is right!
I mean, you’ve already come so far! Look back at the path you’ve taken. It’s been long and hard, but you have overcome struggles and achieved so much. Why wouldn’t you trust in your ability to push forward when you have proven, time and again, how resilient you are?
Seriously! You are so strong. You have a great strength inside of you, even when you can’t see it yourself. Your past struggles have purpose. They have taught you invaluable lessons and contributed to shaping you into the person you are today. Yes, even (if not especially) the negative experiences. These struggles aren’t all for nothing. If you find yourself treading water, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to drown. In fact, all that kicking is only going to make you stronger! Of course, there is always the concern of burning out, but with faith in yourself, you can get through! That faith – the belief that you have the capacity to persevere – it acts as a life-vest and keeps you afloat.
Your cup is overflowing with blessings. Yes, sometimes they are disguised as negatives, but the lessons they provide are an integral part of your journey. They allow for personal growth, an undeniably important part of life, but one that is just as important in business. Think about someone who isn’t in tune with themselves. This individual, they don’t see the positive side. They don’t seek the wisdom of the universe. They do not look within. Their business may grow, but what about their sense of self? Where is the fulfillment?
We all have a choice. We can continue going through the motions, or, we can be present, persevere, and trust ourselves. I think the choice is obvious!
How Does Your Garden Grow?
The grass is greener where you water it, and, likewise, the well-watered garden is the one that will flourish and thrive. Even if it is just a tiny patch of sprouts right now, with the right amount of sun and soil, and a lot of care, your flowers with grow and bloom into the garden of your dreams! It takes patience, it takes hard work, it takes faith in yourself, but there is no doubt in my mind that you can achieve your goals and find success!
Remember: Your mind is the garden. You thoughts are the seeds. You choose what you cultivate, so plant that garden mindfully and watch yourself grow!
Want to learn more about tending your garden, shifting your focus, and designing the future of your dreams? Find out how you can shine your light and grow your business!
