The Yogi Approach to Business - How To Stay Focused

Did I stump you with my title? Huhhh!? The yogi approach to business? It's not as random or as 'out there' as you might think. I've been a student of yoga for ten plus years, but it hasn't been until this past year that I've embodied 'yoga' as a way of life - and what I've learned as a result of my yoga practice has truly made a positive impact on the way I conduct my business.

The literal translation of yoga means "to yoke/unite". Yoga is a state of being and not JUST a physical exercise. The Western approach to yoga concentrates on the physical benefits, but yoga is truly a way of life for those who practice (myself included). Because of yoga and meditation, it's helped me in many facets of my business especially with my clarity and focus.

While standing in tree pose (one of my favorites!), my teacher tells us to focus on a spot on the floor to keep our balance/focus- our "dristi". The soft dristi gaze promotes clarity and grounded calmness.

It comes down to your dristi - how do you stay focused? OR are your wobbling in the Tree Pose of Your Business because you have lost your dristi gaze and can't seem to focus?

Here are some 'yogi-style' tips -- how to find AND implement your professional dristi effectively and stay on course:


1. If you make a mistake, don't beat yourself up. Do NOT give up. You are human - yes, even in business. You will never be perfect. Don't let a one-time mistake interfere with your big-picture focus. Brush yourself off, learn from the mistake and move forward.

2. Listen to your gut instinct. That little voice inside your head won't steer you wrong, and will help you stay on course and focused. It's when you don't listen to your instinct  that you get thrown for a loop, and steers you away from your desired goals. Think of intuition as your internal life compass and don't ignore it!

3. Stay present in the RIGHT NOW! I know that sounds odd since I'm an Internet marketing consultant and my professional world revolves around long-range goal planning for my clients. However, it's when you start to dwell on the past and worry about the future - and fall into that trap of 'not enough! not enough!' - that's when your focus takes a nose dive. The future will happen no matter what and the past has already happened . Why waste your precious time and energy? Keep your focus on today - in this present moment. You will be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you focus on the here and now.

4. Don't compare yourself or your business to your competition, colleagues, clients, etc. As a practicing yogini, I am not the typical poster child for yoga. I'm short and definitely don't have that svelte yogi look. But it's okay, because I'm on my very own Therese Pope path. My yoga journey is completely different than my fellow  students. The easiest way to lose your 'dristi' is to focus on everybody else BUT yourself. Don't worry that Joe Smith is making thousands of dollars more than you or Mary Jones just bought a brand new BMW. Concentrate on your goals and projects that bring YOU success and don't exert energy worrying about your competition down the street. I'm not saying that you don't want to check out altogether, BUT don't obsess over other's people success and don't fall into the 'not enough' mindset trap.

5. Cut out tasks and projects that waste your time and energy (including people, clients, etc. who drag you down). Work with clients who are a GOOD match and don't just take on any client in the world. When you work on projects, tasks and interact with people who pull you away from your business purpose/mission, your gaze becomes muddied. Outsource to sub-contractors or hire part-time help. Focus on what YOU need to do and leave the extraneous tasks to people who are better qualified and can lighten your workload.

How do you stay focused with your daily tasks and projects? I welcome your comments and feedback. 

Why Observation is Your Best Market Research Tool

How many times have you heard the phrase "the powers of observation?" But what exactly does that mean in relationship to market research? We sometimes observe our clients, customers and even our colleagues with an egocentric focus. The ego steers us away from those gut, intuitive feelings that help us really understand and see people for who they are. 

What does all this psychobabble mean? It means it's time to pay attention to your target markets, customers and colleagues. Read between the lines and don't rely on literal translation - let your logical mind take a breather. 

Dig deeper and really listen, focus and observe people. You can use all the technical marketing metrics and tools in the world, but if you don't see human beings for who they are and how they act, think, behave, etc. - you won't truly understand people on a real and authentic level. 

For example, I just joined a new women's group on LinkedIn. I have "met" and interacted with many of these women on other LinkedIn groups. I assumed my powers of observation were right on the money, but I was wrong. It wasn't until I really interacted and dug deeper and shared honest, vulnerable stories, that I had a huge awakening. I realized I didn't really know anything abou them - yes, I knew the superficial facts here and there but that was it.

Their personal experiences shape who they are, not just as professional women, but as human beings. When we interact on the Internet,  it's easy to forget that there is more to people than just a faceless name, and we sometimes take that for granted. Even when we interact face-to-face, our technology distracts us from "really" observing people. 

How can we fine tune our powers of observation as business professionals? 

1. Check out discussion forums, boards, groups, blogs, etc. When you read discussions, pay attention and observe before you comment. When you comment, don't just share your opinion but ask probing questions (in a polite, respectful manner). Dig deeper and look into the "core" of the people interacting on the forum - not just the surface. It's easy to think we know a lot about people and take people at face value. We are all on different paths so don't jump to conclusions and make false assumptions. It can be difficult to get to know someone on the Internet and people hide behind anonymity, but it is possible to shed the cyber layers. 

2. Listen to people and pay attention to your gut instinct. When your customers talk to you, really listen to them. Don't talk at them. Ask their opinions and feedback. Your gut instinct points you in the right direction. How does it feel when you talk to customers? What's not being said? Can your hear frustration in their voice even though they don't come right out and say they are frustrated? 

3. Don't limit yourself to just business books and seminars. Pick up a philosophy, sociology or personal development book. Try out a yoga class. I'm not saying that business books or webinars aren't effective (I read and attend plenty of them). A different perspective can help us view people and our world in new, creative ways - which helps hone our powers of observation.

How are your powers of observation? Do they need a tune-up? 

 

 

Why Two Heads are Better Than One - Don't Berate, Collaborate!

The old saying "two heads are better than one" is my new mantra. I am involved with a fantastic Masterminds group that resulted from my involvement with the International Freelancers" Day Conference - my new copywriting group,  Bhaskar, Jacque and Barb - the Kick A** MasterMind Group (KAMM). Bhas offers our 'international flavor' - a pun on words because he represents Assam where the incredible Assam black tea is produced in India.

I also have been lucky to collaborate and share with amazing colleagues such as Ms. Confident Copywriter/Social Media Guru-ess Victoria Ipri...my working partnership with Ryan Chambers and Joey Do from Adapt Marketing & Design...and the list goes on and on!

I've also moved beyond my comfort zone and am involved with a new "enlightened business professionals" group that meets this week via conference call (I met these amazing people through the Enlightened Business Summit).

As we push forward with our business goals, it's easy to put our noses to the grindstone and roam solo as we keep our eye on the prize. However, we forget about the potential partners and collaborators who could help and guide us with our business goals.

In this economy, it's easy to berate others for their successes and whine: "Why are they making more money than me?" "What do they have that I don't have?"
Well, it's time to stop the pity party and find out what makes them so great. Instead of berating them, collaborate with those you admire. After our KAMM meeting this morning, I felt energized and motivated to forge ahead with my week. I am very grateful and appreciative of their feedback and insight - truly, THREE heads are better than one (in this case!)

I know all the excuses whirring inside your brain when it comes to collaborating with partners - been there, done that.  However, I learned I needed to move past my "I'm gonna do this on my own" mindset. It is OKAY to ask for help sometimes - we all need it.

They will steal my ideas! - No, they will improve upon them and offer you positive, helpful feedback you wouldn't receive otherwise

I know what I'm doing - I don't need anyone's help! - It's time to lose the ego. We all need a little help. Ideas grow stale and sometimes we get stuck. Collaborators offer us fresh, new perspective.

People just annoy me. I do better on my own. - Other people's energy motivates us. Human interaction is what keeps our creative juices flowing. So before you kick other people to curb, listen to what they have to say and maybe you'll learn a few new things!

I don't trust other people to help me with my business. - If you don't trust others, then why do you work with people in the first place? Collaborators and partners make good sounding boards to test new products or ideas. If you can't count on people, then maybe you should re-think why you're in business in the first place. You have to build lasting relationships with your customers and clients, so it makes sense to have a few trustworthy collaborators in your corner. Use sound judgment when it comes to collaborating with others, but don't put up walls either.

So remember...don't berate others for their success or shun the idea of collaborating with other people in your industry who can lend support and expertise. Networking is one thing, but collaboration takes your business to an improved, dynamic level. Don't berate...instead collaborate!

What have been some of your best collaborations and partnerships? Who has helped you along the way?