Business as a spiritual quest

Words JANET McGEEVER

I think one of the hardest things for me in business was stepping out from behind a neutral business name and operating under my own name. The feeling of exposure and perceived judgment, and being more visible was a decision I had to grow into. And it took a long time.

It brought up so much: What will people think? Will they think I’m full of myself?

Business, and especially entrepreneurship, is one big personal growth leap. In fact, it’s a series of many leaps. If there is anything that needs to shift, to be healed, you can be sure business will bring it to the surface. To stand out in any way means exposing yourself to all kinds of projections.

It means risking rejection, risking reputation, risking leaving the ‘tribe’ and standing on your own. It can be scary, as belonging to a tribe is a basic human need, alongside food and shelter.

Even though Australia as a country is slowly beginning to celebrate diversity, the ‘tall poppy’ culture is still rampant. It means risking your very own concept of emotional survival to break away from the tribe and from being ‘the same’.

That’s why business and leadership can transform you if you let it. It becomes a spiritual quest.

This is because there’s something that has to come before personal insecurities; something more important than being part of a society that wants to cut you down rather than celebrate you; something beyond what even your mind thinks you should be doing. And that’s your authentic purpose.

I remember people talking about purpose years ago and thinking, “What is it? What is my purpose?” Some people know at a young age; most grow into their purpose. It evolves as you grow.

Everything in your life has been orchestrated to take you to the path on which you are now standing. Everything. Even the most painful journey leaves an indelible mark on your soul. And eventually, once you have been in the trenches, you realise the only thing to do is transform that pain into something meaningful: to serve others, to serve humanity, to bring joy, to bring healing, to bring beauty, to bring pleasure, to bring relief for those suffering.

When your desire to serve humanity in a way that is sustainable to you overtakes your desire to survive and protect your personality, then you know that you have a purpose.

I am not saying I am totally there yet. I still feel vulnerable about being seen, but I am willing to stand strongly for what I believe in because I know it’s helping others. And for that, I am humbled.

JANET McGEEVER is co-author of Tantric Sex and Menopause, facilitator of The Making Love Retreat in Australia and creator of Womantime, Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Day Woman. www.janetmcgeever.com