Category: Images that Inspire

One of the joys of Entrepreneurship is that inspiration can come from the most unlikely places.

I recently experienced the delight of watching a Lotus Blossum bloom that hadn’t flowered for 2 years. It was inherited from my mum after she passed away.

I shared this experience with my friends on Facebook, who followed along for the journey; delighting me with their likes and comments, as they came to appreciate the unexpected twists and turns of watching the magificant flower blossom.

What I didn’t expect, was that I gained many insights from this experience, personally and as a business owner, and I would love to share them with you.

10 Things I Learned Watching a Lotus Blossom Bloom

10. It’s possible to re-emerge after a period of dormancy

This was my first lesson. I couldn’t have been more surprised when I discovered that first bud. When a second popped up I was elated! I realised that when our businesses go through tough periods, that does not have to be our future. A bright future is always possible!

9. There’s always a place for optimism

Forget the naysayers who say it can’t be done! Your vision is there for a reason, and can bare fruit when nurtured. If you have a strong desire to make a difference and turn it into a business or project, I believe it should be pursued. Surround yourself with others who will acknowledge and support what it is you are trying to do. Get help if needed to see that dream realised. Our budding ideas need nourishment to come to fruition. Creating an optimistic environment for your business idea or project to flourish can make all the difference to the outcome.

8. If you know what you want, the how will take care of  itself

When the Lotus bud popped it’s little head up, I knew I was going to see a Lotus flower. What I didn’t know was how it was going to happen. I didn’t know that it opened at first light, then retreated into it’s petals in the mid afternoon. I didn’t know it only flowered for  3 days. I didn’t know a pod filled with seed for future abundance would be left behind. When you decide what it is you are aiming for, allow your awareness to see the opportunities for making it happen, and embrace what it is you need right now. Don’t complicate things.

7. Everything has a season. Including business.

Now my Lotus plant has bloomed I have great expectations for her next year! But there will be a period of hybernation, during which time I will prune her, and nourish her, so that I can enjoy her abundance next summer. Our businesses also require pruning and nurturing. Trim what’s not working, nuture what is working, and what your clientele are asking for. When we follow the laws of nature, amazing things are possible. It’s a natural evolution.

 6. We already have seed in our hand

Every business journey, even the failed ones provide seed that can blossom into new growth when planted. Each of my expired Lotus blossoms delivered 7 seed; that’s 7 potential new blooms. Our businesses are like that too. The seed you have in your hand may be an inactive subscriber list, filed documents you could turn into blogs, or a neglected client list. It could be content that can be re-purposed into a new product, an old workshop that could be re-energised, or a list of referrals yet to be followed up. Find YOUR seed, plant it, nourish it, and watch it bloom.

5. Things happen in stages

I watched my baby buds emerge from the murky water, expanding with promise into a heavily laden mature bud of promise, before eventually opening in the morning sun. She retreated into her petals in the afternoon, before waking again with the early light. This happened over 3 days before dropping her petals leaving a fertile seed pod behind. Our projects occur in stages too. Initally excitement and launch, then the building of activity and momentum, eventually waning as new trends emerge, and client attention goes elsewhere. Enjoy this process of evolution, evolve to meet the needs of your clients. Know that the potential is always there to create new things that meet the needs of your market.

4. Early to bed, early to rise –  make time to recharge

My Lotus blossoms opened with the morning sun, and closed around 2.30 in the afternoon. Interestingly, this matches my routine as a I clock off around 2.30 to collect my daughter from school. But I have a tendency to stay up late, catching up on tasks, and not allowing enough time to rest. Whatever your entrepreneurial routine, don’t forget that rest is important to operate at your peak for both creativity and productivity. Use your time mindfully.

3. There’s always time for reflection

Taking time to watch, record and share the journey of my Lotus was an absolute gift. I was inspired, and so were others. Personally and professionally. Reflecting on our business can bring similar rewards. Celebrating our achievements, acknowledging our failures, recognising our limitations, maximising our strengths. Making time to review the various elements might include your product mix, sales processes, systems and operations. See it as an opportunity to be inspired and enhance what you do and how you do it.

2. Nature is never lacking

Fight it we might, but you can’t keep a good entrepreneur down. We are wired for it. That includes the soulful, heart-centred and introverted entrepreneur. You are not lacking. Your dreams and desires are here for a purpose. You don’t need to be loud and opinionated; simply consistent and visible, so those you can help know you are there. This can be done in a multitude of ways thanks to the gift of social media and the internet. Now is your time. It always was!

1. You have everything you need

What you need is either available within you, accessible outside you, or reachable beyond you. You simply need to ask. What do you need today? What is your dream? What will step you towards that goal today? Ask yourself what you need to do right now to move you towards what you want to create this year. Ask others who are in a position to help. The law of request will allow your needs to be met. ASK. What is it I want. What is it that my market wants. How can I deliver what they want. What do I need to do right now so I can give them what they want. I promise you the answers will be there. Then do it.

Another of the gifts from this journey is the various images that that were taken and shared. I was able to demonstrate how I was able to turn my own image into an inspirational meme at the top of this post. It was created with www.canva.com Check out how you can create your own.

So what do you think? Are you inspired by the things around you? Are you moving step by step towards your dreams and goals? I’d love to hear your story.

Share your insights below. xxx