Working Your Spiritual Business Through the Dark Half of the Year
Carrying The Growth and Momentum of your Spiritual Business Forward During the Dark Half of the Year
by Lilliana Blackstar
The seasons of Fall and Winter energetically ask us to slow down, to conserve our energy, and to manage our resources (including time) with more discernment. But how can we, as Small Business Owners, honor the call of the Seasons and still find energy to put towards the growth of our Business? Many of us cannot afford to have less work during the winter months, yet as Spiritual Practitioners we know it is important to honor the seasons and learn from what they teach us.
Here are some of my thoughts and ideas on how you can still work your Spiritual Business through the Dark Half of the Year, while simultaneously honoring your need to rest and slow down.
InMy first thought is that "Momentum" doesn't have to mean working faster or harder.
Growth can be slower, more intentional, without being stagnant. It can even be more powerful despite being quieter.
Fall and winter can invite consolidation, refinement, and preparation rather than constant expansion. This can be an excellent time to look at what services you have that can be retired or temporarily stopped while you focus more intently on just a few powerful offerings. In these Fall and Winter months, less is more! Instead of adding more services, which existing services can be made more powerful and receive more of your attention?
To help yourself narrow your focus, you can use the energy of Autumn to think about the past several months and see what you can "Harvest". What have you learned?
What actually worked this year?
What brought me clients?
What brought me joy?
What am I ready to stop doing?
What existing offerings/content/resources can I repurpose?
Rather than immediately asking, “What's my next big thing?” ask, “What have I already grown that deserves to be harvested?” When you "Harvest" something it doesn't have to mean that you consume it and then it is gone. It means that you can take what you have grown, and give it purpose - put it to use. Weave the grasses into a basket, bake the grain into a bread, spin the fibers into yarn - you get the picture.
Shift from Expansion to Depth
The Dark half of the Year can be an excellent time for:
- deepening existing client relationships
- improving existing offerings
- developing expertise
- writing/research
- spiritual study
- behind-the-scenes business organization
- creating "evergreen resources"
- Saving money for future business investments
SPA Members recently discussed this topic at our Fall Professional Development Retreat. If you want to hear more about these ideas, check out the Recording of our Retreat Discussion here -
Working Your Spiritual Business in the Dark Half of the Year:
