The Yogipreneur » Inspiration

Creating a Life Plan

yogipreneur — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:45:20 +0000

Most new business owners think the first thing that they should do is start writing a business plan. While a business plan is imperative to the growth and success of your business, there is something even more important that you need to consider – creating a life plan.

As a business owner, many opportunities arise. Many of these opportunities will be incredible business opportunities to grow or increase income, however many of these opportunities will also move you away from your vision of your ideal life. A life plan is the foundation for not only your business plan, but also for the decisions that you will need to make in your business.

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Learn the essentials of creating a functional business plan with The Yogipreneur Blog – Creating a Business Plan coming June 24th!

Staying true to your vision

yogipreneur — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:12:42 +0000

As a spiritual entrepreneur, you probably started your business with a unique vision. A dream of what your business could be. A studio that creates a community of yogis. A teacher training that graduates new teachers around the world. A non-profit that brings the benefits of yoga to underprivileged children.

If you do not have a clear vision, start clarifying it immediately. Without a clear vision, you have nothing to work towards. It becomes easier to get off track – and for others to get you off track. You might appreciate all the “great” ideas – until you realize that implementing those ideas have absolutely nothing to do with your ultimate vision.

Take a moment now and consider that vision. Imagine that you had achieved this ideal business. What does it look like? What are you doing? Where are you spending your time? What kind of services do you offer? Who are you helping? Who is on your team? What is your ultimate goal?

Hold this mental picture of your ideal business in your mind. See yourself in that vision. From this day forward, each time an opportunity or idea arises, ask yourself if it will bring you closer to your vision. Action in the direction of your ideal business will magnetize your dream to you.

Are you listening

yogipreneur — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:48:10 +0000

Imagine that there is a huge hurricane flooding a town. People are ordered to evacuate. A bus approaches a house and tells the owner to get on the bus. The owner says “No – God will save me”. The waters continue to rise until the owner is forced to the second floor. A boat approaches the windows and the driver says “Get in!”. The owner replied “No – God will save me”. The house is completely under water and the owner is clinging to the chimney. A rescue helicopter approaches and lowers a ladder. “Grab the ladder!” the pilot said over the speaker. “No – God will save me”, replied the owner. After he drowned, he saw God. He asked God “Why didn’t you save me?”. God replied “I sent you a bus, a boat and a helicopter! What more do you want?”

As you are focusing on manifesting your goals, are you listening? Chances are, the opportunity to achieve your goal is right in front of you. The key is to be open enough to realize that the opportunity might not come in the form you thought it would. If you are waiting for the opportunity to present itself directly to you, say “Here I am – this is your opportunity!”, you will miss out on the other opportunities that require your action to take advantage of them.

Go Green!

yogipreneur — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:18:33 +0000

Green living has been a passion of mine since I was knee high to a grasshopper – the grasshopper being my Grandfather. My grandfather, Dr. William Hargis, was a pioneer in the environmental movement. Back in the 50’s, as the Director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, he began exploring the effects of pollution on the environment with a focus on the Chesapeake Bay.
My grandfather, Dr. William Hargis, inspired me to live green.

Before global warming was even a term, my grandfather began petitioning our government to take action to care for our earth and all creatures who live here. Our family understood the importance of being stewards for the environment from a very early age. So in honor of my grandfather, here are some of the basics of green living that I learned from him!

Reduce.

Simple enough – reduce what you are using! Reduce the amount of water you use daily by taking shorter showers, only running a full washing machine and turning off the tap when brushing your teeth. Reduce electricity use by turning off lights, unplugging appliances and controlling your thermostat.

Reuse.

If you are creative, you can reuse just about anything! In my house, we don’t use paper napkins or paper towels – cloth is not only more environmentally friendly but also more chic! Even as I’m starting a new business, instead of purchasing new furniture or equipment, I have been finding great items secondhand from businesses that are closing. A little TLC and good as new – not only going green but saving green!

Recycle.

It has never been easier to recycle. Just do it! Put a recycling center in your yoga studio – how many people walk in with their Starbucks in one hand that goes right in the trash? Let them know you care and recycle it for them. If you offer bottled water for sale, choose brands that make bottles out of recycled content and then recycle the bottles!

Happy Earth Day!

Attitude of Gratitude

yogipreneur — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:17:06 +0000

Gratitude is powerful. It can make or break a relationship – including the ones you have running a business.

Everyone has been in a situation where they feel unappreciated. Remember those times. Did you want to work harder? Most likely not. You probably started doing the minimum required.

Now think of a time when you felt appreciated. When you truly felt cherished. How much stronger was that relationship? How much harder did you work? How much more did you want to give back to that person?

Create an attitude of gratitude. Don’t just tell people – show them! Send out a handwritten personal note when your student has a moment of transformation. Take your staff out for a mani-pedi party (definitely one of my favorite thank you’s I ever received!). Get creative and make it fun!

I’m so grateful for all you!

You can’t give what you don’t have

yogipreneur — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:15:31 +0000

This is something that I think about often. As a Pitta-Kapha, that Kapha piece of my personality always wants to keep giving and giving – without stopping to think that maybe I’m running on empty! After years of struggling with this, I am finally learning to know when I need to stop and refuel. Self-care can be very difficult when you just want to help others.

But for a yoga teacher, self-care is so important! You can only help others when you have a full tank of inspiration to run on. Students know when your energy is stagnant. They can tell when your classes all start to look the same. And some of them may get bored and stop coming all together.

How can you continue to teach yoga without continuing to practice as well? GET ON YOUR MAT! Read a new book! Set a new goal and work towards it!

The law of attraction states that like attracts like. So think about this:

Bored teacher = bored students = boring community = boring life

Inspired teacher = inspired students = inspired community = inspired life!

Which would you rather be?