Eight Insights In One Year

Bhakti Business is a year old this April and as I reflect on what I’ve observed over the past year of running Bhakti Business and how we can all expand into growth and clarity I've come up with eight observations.. Let’s jump in ... 

1. REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT

I know you love bright shiny objects and the world is full of endless possibility. I know you get bored and you want to offer and share new things. But here’s a truth I have learned over my years in business. Through repitition the magic is forced to arise. My teacher Sharon Gannon taught me this years ago and it’s as true in business as it is in asana practice. Find a winning formula and repeat it over time so that people can come to know you for something specific. 

2. IF IT AIN’T BROKE DON’T FIX IT (especially if you’re feeling bored) 

When something in your business is working don’t mess around with it just because you can! Of course, sometimes improvement is necessary and we refine as we go. But sometimes we sabotage ourselves by constantly changing, pivoting and confusing our audience. Ask yourself how you can keep your business simple and in flow. 

3. LOOK AT YOUR NUMBERS AND ANALYTICS

Ahhhh I know numbers don’t light everyone up but trust me when you look at them you’ll gain great insights into your business. Look at how many new followers you have, how many people have signed up to your newsletter or free offer. How much money are you making? What are your expenses? Set some numbers goals. They don’t have to be financial. For example, you could set the goal to be interviewed on five podcasts or to reach out to five new people in your direct messages. Know your numbers, know your business. 

4. COLLABORATE

Together we are stronger! Look around in your community and ask yourself how you can collaborate with the people in your world. Perhaps you can run a joint promotion with an aligned business. Or a giveaway, or offer recommendations or referrals. You won’t lose anything by sharing something wonderful that someone else is offering. In fact you’ll build beautiful relationships and you’ll become known as a person that people come to for ideas and resources. Don’t be jealous and competitive. A rising tide lifts all ships. 

5. CREATE WHAT’S IN YOUR HEART NOT WHAT YOU THINK PEOPLE WANT 

There is mixed messaging around this when you look at what business coaches and mentors have to say. There is some wisdom in the idea that we should look at the marketplace and create what people want. It can be helpful to survey your audience and ask them for feedback and opinions. But at the end of the day, your best work will arise within you and be an expression of the fullness of who you are. People won’t be asking for it directly - you’ll be creating it from a place of flow and transmission. Sometimes people don’t know what they want until they see the magic you have to offer. 

6. DELEGATE WHAT YOU DON’T LOVE / DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND ENJOY

I know in the beginning of your business you need to do a lot of the things yourself. Many hats must be worn. But as you expand and grow delegating out the things you really don’t enjoy will give you so much more space to be in creative flow and zone of genius. Closely linked to this is the idea of being willing to accept help when it’s offered. I’m a big fan of trading skills and accepting the gift of support.

7. WHERE ATTENTION GOES ENERGY FLOWS

I’m so often amazed in my business when I turn my eye and attention to something it begins to flourish. Just as plants grow better when they are talked to and nurtured so to your business will bloom if you give it time and care. If you’re feeling a bit flat try listening to some inspiring business-focused podcasts. Or getting together with a fellow small business owner for a brainstorming session (you can give each other half an hour of focus and idea-sharing). It’s easy to get stuck and stagnant when you’re working on your own. When you lift up your game (including your own self-care) your business will energetically shift for the better. 

8. TRUST YOURSELF: EVERYONE HAS OPINIONS BUT THEY ARE NOT ALL VALID

I remember years ago when I owned Jivamukti Yoga Sydney we had a cafe run by the incredible @mazvalcorza The cafe was vegan and one day I was chatting with Maz about whether people ever had criticisms about this. She said occasionally someone would come in and talk about how a vegan diet wasn’t healthy or nutritiously robust. And she said ‘you know, what I do in those cases? I look at the person. Usually, they don’t look so great! Tired eyes, bad skin, low vibe. And I think to myself, well you don’t look like you’re doing so great on a meat diet either!’. 

This was such a powerful lesson for me (thank you Maz) because it taught me to always ask the question - is this person qualified to give me feedback in this area? I don’t ask my partner for feedback on my business because he’s a tradie and doesn’t know about online business. But I do rely on him for parenting advice and emotional support because he’s amazing at that. I don’t ask my childless friends for parenting advice. I don’t ask people who don’t read books what they think of my next book proposal. You get the idea. Choose your advisors and mentors carefully and then listen to what they have to say. 

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