Meditation . . . Maybe there is something to it

I spent nine days at The School for the Work with Byron Katie.

I went because I was on the marketing staff for Byron Katie, International.

I went expecting to learn more about the company, more about the people we serve, and more about the methods Katie uses. 

I expected to learn more about myself. 

What I didn't expect was for it to impact every area of my business and life. 

You know you should meditate, everyone is saying it. But when was the last time you spent more than an hour in reflection?  

I won't lie it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Yes, even harder than delivering a baby. Nine days of looking inward into the dark corners of one's mind and at the motivations behind feelings is not for the weak at heart. 

Halfway through I took a break, I went to the spa and soaked in the sauna. 

And then, I went back to dig back in.

Katie's work is the epitome of simple but not easy. The Work is based on four questions and a turnaround. 

The four questions are: 

1. Is it true? (Yes or no. If no, move to 3.)
2. Can you absolutely know that it’s true? (Yes or no.)
3. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?
4. Who would you be without the thought? 

The Turnarounds:

Take the statement about how you feel and turn it around to the self, to the other or an opposite. Turnarounds are about helping you to see that there is nothing to fear in life or business.

The steps are simple but stopping to write down the thoughts and looking at the truth behind the thoughts is not easy. It is hard to squirm out of things when it is written down in black and white in front of you. 

But how has it impacted my business? 

It impacts it in little ways every day.

It helps me to stop before jumping to conclusions.

It helps me to be calmer and more present in my work. 

It helps me not to lose my temper over the little or the big stuff. Okay, not always but it helps! 

It has given me more tools to use with clients when they are doing their work as entrepreneurs. Because let's admit it, being an entrepreneur is one of the best self-development courses out there. If you've got shit (and who doesn't?!), then it is going to come up when you are building and growing your business.

The Work is a practice. Being an Entrepreneur is a practice. Being Human is a practice.

We come back to our practices day after day, not seeking perfection but seeking improvement, peace, and understanding.

Even if you can't go to the School for The Work for 9 Days I recommend you start by giving yourself an hour and starting with her free resources, you won't regret it. 

And your clients and your family will thank you.