Successful Entrepreneurs: It helps to be Conscious
I keep hearing the term “Conscious Business Owner” lately and it's been confusing me. While at about 6:30 am before my coffee, I don't feel very conscious.. the rest of the day I'm awake! 😉 So, I must be a Conscious Business Owner, right?
Well, I did some research and learned that the term states what my business motto has been since 2004 “Making the Web and the World a Better Place”. I just didn't know what was called “Conscious”.
My friend, Kathleen Gage, is in the middle of a book launch for a book called “Align Expand and Succeed” and it's all about success for entrepreneurs and what that really means.
One of her contributing authors offered to share this article with us. Below it, I've included an excerpt from the book. I hope you enjoy both!
Are You a Conscious Business Owner? A Nine-Point Checklist
What does it mean to be a “conscious business owner”?
There’s been an evolution in the online conversation lately, I noticed, toward dwelling on the personal experience of being “conscious:” being in touch with one’s sense of purpose, feeling good about what you’re doing, making heartfelt decisions, being grateful and fair, being healthy and promoting health, being spiritual and soulful…things like that.
While all those things are true and wonderful, there are also cultural criteria the larger business community and society as a whole use to measure “conscious business,” or, lately, “conscious capitalism.”
So if you’re wondering if you’re a conscious business owner, here’s a nine-point checklist you might try out on yourself for starters:
* Do you strive to be ETHICAL in your dealings with employees, customers, and others?
* Are you SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE in terms of the people you serve, the communities in which you operate, things like energy and the environment?
* Are you AWARE of how your products and services impact the greater good?
* Do you think you’re aligned with your HIGHEST AND BEST purpose?
* Do you feel the CONNECTION your business has to the needs of the Universe?
* Do you COMPLEMENT the businesses of others, rather than competing with them?
* Are you FAIR in your pricing, policies, and other business dealings?
* Do you BALANCE value with profits well?
* Do you CONTRIBUTE to the betterment of your community?
If you checked off most of these, you’re a “conscious business owner” by anyone’s standards. If you didn’t, you now have a new awareness of things you might want to strive toward!
Carol Liege is a contributing author to Align, Expand and Succeed; Shifting the Paradigm of Entrepreneurial Success. This “just released” book is based on the premise that the world is changing at a very rapid pace. We are starting to see that cooperation brings better results than old style competition. It’s a new era and we need to work together to create success for everyone, not just for a few.
This book features dozens of conscious entrepreneurs who share their wisdom, expertise, stories, lessons and insights about the new and exciting shifts that are happening for entrepreneurs worldwide.
This book is designed to raise the vibration of the planet like never before. Get your copy of Align, Expand and Succeed and enjoy an abundance of gifts with your purchase.
Here's an excerpt from the book that spoke to me. I hope you enjoy it.
Be True to You… No Matter What
Christine Kloser
It was mid-2009 when I woke up from a dream. In the dream, I appeared to be at the height of my career. I was a successful author, coach and publisher, a well-known expert in my field, making great money, and having a positive impact on thousands of entrepreneurs around the world. I worked hard to do everything everyone suggested in my business. I attended all the right workshops, learned all the new strategies, and implemented them one by one in my business. I was well-respected and had a fantastic network of friends, colleagues and partners. People knew my name.
Sounds like a great dream, doesn’t it? Perhaps it’s a dream that you aspire to achieve in your journey of conscious entrepreneurship.
There was only one problem… what appeared to be a dream felt like a nightmare inside. Yes, I was really living everything stated in my dream above. On the outside it all looked “perfect.” But inside of me, things didn’t feel the same.
You may be asking how that could be so? After all, I am a pioneer in the field of conscious entrepreneurship. In fact, many people credit me with the popularity of this term itself. But how could I be living that externally fantastic, conscious, aligned life and also be feeling constantly stressed, overwhelmed, frustrated, and under so much self-inflicted pressure?
It’s easy to see how in hindsight. I was only 90% conscious in my business. It was the 10% of unconsciousness that caused the inner turmoil.
Read the full story and many more ~ Get your copy of Align, Expand and Succeed and enjoy an abundance of gifts with your purchase.
Kathleen Gage
October 18, 2010 at 12:13 pmThanks for posting this Nicole. I am thrilled to be a part of the book and all the great contributing authors who wrote a chapter on Conscious Business. A common thread is “to thine own self be true” and ” be of service.”
Michelle Cochran
October 18, 2010 at 12:58 pmHi Nicole, as a contributing author to Align, Expand, Succeed, thank you for your post. I loved your post and the 9 point check list! A great tool to help anyone interested in becoming a conscious entrepreneur.
The book is another tool, with 39 other exceptional authors, contributing to helping anyone who is feeling called to function from their highest and best through business, how to do so!
Lynne Klippel
October 18, 2010 at 1:34 pmThanks for this great post! Carol’s checklist is a perfect tool for every conscious business owner who wants to take her business to a deeper level of integrity.
Lauren McMullen
October 18, 2010 at 2:22 pmAs one of the authors in the book I agree whole heartedly with this list. It is a great tool for all business owners! It is possible to change the world one conscious business person at a time.
Anastasia Montejano
October 18, 2010 at 2:25 pmLOVE this post. The checklist highlights what I strive for in my business every day!
Jennifer Shaw
October 18, 2010 at 2:32 pmAs an author in the book, I use a very similar checklist and start the day by asking two questions, “How can I serve today?” and ” What opportunities will be placed in my path today to achieve this?’
Lianda Ludwig
October 18, 2010 at 4:07 pmNicole – thanks for your blog; and your cute comment to start us off. After all, humor is so important in life and business!
Being conscious of our own values is the first step to knowing if we are conscious business owners! I’m one of the authors, and very humbled to have contributed along with so many ethical business people! Our goal is to keep that new business paradigm expanding! We know you’re one of the tribe!
Iris Rosenfeld, DC
October 18, 2010 at 3:12 pmAs a contributing author to Align, Expand and Succeed, I thank you for your post. I love the 9-point checklist you provided. These points are always at the forefront of my daily business and life.
Yours in abundant health and success!
Christine M Long
October 18, 2010 at 3:18 pmCarol what a great checklist. This is a good place to start for people who are already working within their entrepreneurial business or just starting out. When you aspire to tick all the boxes that is certainly a worthwhile intention. As a co author of ALIGN EXPAND and SUCCEED, I have discovered that it’s not about perfection its about what your values are are and doing your best to live them in all areas of your life.
Anita Crawford Clark
October 18, 2010 at 3:19 pmGreat article and I just love the 9 point checklist. This makes it so easy to do a quick assessment for consciousness. I am excited and thrilled about the release of Align, Expand and Succeed.
Sue Papadoulis
October 18, 2010 at 4:04 pmThanks for the great tips Carol. You spell out the message very clearly and simply – as always we don’t need to over-complicate things! I love the start of Christine’s story, must grab my copy to read the rest, I’m intrigued!
Prem Dana Takada
October 18, 2010 at 8:30 pmThe world is changing at a rapid pace.Tips like these and books like Align, Expand and Succeed help us change with it.
Liliana Garcia
October 18, 2010 at 9:55 pmThank you for your list of what it means to be a conscious entrepreneur. Love this easy and to the point check list.
Marlene Clay
October 18, 2010 at 10:18 pmI agree wholeheartedly that “cooperation brings better results than old style competition”. And this is true in all areas of life, not just business. Thanks for spreading the message!
Lili Cruchelow
October 19, 2010 at 8:03 amI feel so grateful to be a part of this book. If you are in business, this is a must read. Christine Kloser, Lynne Klippel, and Kathleen Gage have lead all of us on a wonderful journey that we wish to share with the world!
Douglas (Watkins)
October 19, 2010 at 9:08 amAre You a Conscious Business Owner? I can say with confidence that yes i am.
Lynne Klippel
October 19, 2010 at 10:06 amThanks for sharing this wonderful excerpt from Christine Kloser. Her writing rings so true because it is straight from the heart.
Tish Tisherman
October 19, 2010 at 10:31 amIt takes a very brave woman to reveal your soul. Having known Christine for years, and being a huge fan, I know how gut wrenching and rewarding writing this had to be. Can’t wait for the entire book!
Marcia Avalon
October 19, 2010 at 10:23 am9 Points for a great business and a fulfilling life.
Conscious business owners are leading the global paradigm shift. I am happy to be one of them-and a co-author of Align, Expand and Succeed.
Carol Liege
October 19, 2010 at 11:14 amI’m so impressed with everyone’s articles, interviews and comments about this great book. I couldn’t believe how much fabulous bonus content is being offered to those who buy it through http://aesbook.com. I just spent an hour downloading information myself!
Marcia Bench
October 19, 2010 at 12:46 pmThanks Nicole for the plug – this IS a great book! I was honored to write the opening chapter. So many of us want to be more purposeful, conscious and spiritually focused in our work, but we don’t know how. This books tells us how!
Suzanne Masefield
October 19, 2010 at 1:13 pmOur world is changing at a great speed and we need to evolve with it and expand our perception of what is possible. Collaboration and Creating Win/Wins is the way forward. Great article thank you Suzanne
Liz Zed
October 19, 2010 at 1:17 pmThanks Nicole, Kathleen, Carol, and Christine for yet another awesome collaborative effort that serves to motivate and inspire! Wonderful.
Christine M Long
October 19, 2010 at 3:22 pmYES! It’s time for people to finally get their copy of ALIGN EXPAND and SUCCEED Shifting the Paradigm of Entreprenerial Success. Do it now so you also receive over 100 FREE offers and gifts to support you on your journey of conscious entreprenerial success http://aesbook.com.
Pete McEntee
October 23, 2010 at 9:48 amNicole’s post (and Carol’s list) is a refreshing reminder of what our roles and responsibilities are in the Internet marketing world other than just pursuing profits. Being ethical and socially conscious business people are especially important in this very competitive business and economic climate. If every Internet entrepreneur took this attitude, the net would be a better place!
Dan Brock
November 1, 2010 at 2:07 amThank you so much for this post! I love the article and the excellent checklist. Bears points that we must always remember. This has taught me a lot, and will definitely get a copy of the book. Cheers!
James
November 3, 2010 at 7:34 amI love the post. I have some qualities of being a conscious business owner does it mean that I am a conscious business owner?