Soul-Based Partnerships for Personal and Professional Growth
February 21, 2017
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2017 is a new age for the world of work – the Age of the Personal Brand. Instead of the traditional model of spending your adult life with a soul-sucking nine-to-five job in a beige cubicle, we’re advancing with visionary, meaningful and deeply personal work. This exciting new frontier is filled with passion and purpose, but it’s not always easy.
It can be exhausting and confusing staying focused and aligned while bootstrapping your business and building an ecosystem to support your uncompromising vision, all while keeping an eye on “the competition” and their results.
We’re here to say: You don’t have to do this alone! As two solopreneurs who have found immense success (mind, body, spirit and wallet) in partnerships with other rockstars in our field, we know that the path to the most abundant destination is not a solo journey, but best traveled together.
1. It all starts with the heart
Soul-fueled businesses start with intentionally addressing a worthy cause. If the enthusiastic commitment to that cause is shared by all partners, it will serve as a compass for future progress and discovery. Disagreements, doubt and obstacles can exist in every business, and nothing is more harmful and contagious than fear. But with the nourishing and motivating strength of a shared purpose, you can always rely on seeing through the most difficult of trying times.
If doubt sets in between us regarding about a retreat, workshop or anything else, we always go back to the heart of our mission – bringing health, freedom and happiness to our students. If that mission is still being honored, regardless of any secondary goal, we know we’re still on the right track. This anchor allows us to adapt our approach, yet remain loyal to our clearly defined, ultimate goal. This is the concrete, unshakeable foundation upon which our partnership has been built.
Guiding questions:
- What are your personal values?
- What are your professional values?
- What are the values of the event or project you want to co-create?
- Where do they overlap – and are those overlaps powerful enough to rely on?
2. More than money
Clearly define and agree on your metrics of profit. There are many ways to interpret the success of a project aside from financials and it’s important that you and your partner agree on what feels abundant.
Is the project still “successful” even if you didn’t hit your monetary goals, but you received valuable media coverage? If you created a valuable relationship with the venue for future events? If you now have photos and videos for use in promotion for the next project? If you made new industry connections, affiliates and brand partnerships? If you received signups for your newsletter or a different program?
Guiding questions:
- What are your personal metrics from “profit”?
- What are 10 ways to feel abundant, no matter the financial outcome, within this project?
- If you’re not seeing the profits you expected, how do you decide when it’s time to switch gears, reschedule or cancel?
3. Overcome the delegation dilemma
Choose someone that complements your strengths... and then surrender and trust their talents. Especially as a multi-hat wearing entrepreneur, it can be difficult to delegate. To best use your time and energy, the most beneficial, potent and efficient partnerships are those that align with grace and ease.
Lauren is a pro with retreat logistics, pricing and details. Tory has a knack for promotions and brand partnerships. We both can admit what tasks we’re excited about and what we’d rather delegate without shame or embarrassment. We both can truly appreciate and honor the strengths of the other without jealousy or insecurity. We honor one another as an essential and incredibly valuable asset, and through that, we both want to show up with integrity, honesty, and smart work.
Guiding questions and tasks:
- What is it going to take to properly plan and execute your venture?
- Together, make a general plan of action, including expected roles and responsibilities.
- Separately, make a personal list of responsibilities that genuinely excite you to complete.
- Together, compare lists and assign roles. Agree on what feels exciting, fulfilling, and what is best for the project.
4. The whole picture
Relationships are holistic. The most authentic way to truly have respect for a partner within your project, you must also respect their personal lives. Honor their boundaries, encourage self-care, support their other projects and partnerships. Trust and respect are also holistic. It’s impossible to fully rely on someone in a project if you do not respect their personal choices and this is something you should seriously consider before committing to co-create.
Not only do we support one another in our outside endeavors, but we often find we can refer one another to many new partnerships! Instead of worrying about being stretched too thin and diverting energy away from our co-created projects, we trust that there’s enough room for us all. And that loving support, all around, is always the answer.
Guiding questions:
- Do you and your partner have similar standards for self-care?
- Can you clearly define your needs outside of the workspace? (Ex: I need to be offline after 7 pm each night unless there’s an emergency).
About the authors:
Tory Dube is a Healthy Living Expert & Holistic Business Consultant with a reality-rocking spirit. Using humor, nutrition, mindfulness/meditation and movement, Tory guides her clients to holistic freedom, health and happiness. She writes for several health publications, is a children's book author, hosts international wellness retreats, and lives in Indianapolis with her dreamy, darling boyfriend. For more information, visit Tory’s website, Instagram and Facebook page.
Lauren Lee is an international yoga & meditation teacher that's passionate about holistic health, exploring the world, and empowering others to live vibrant and happy lives. Founder of Raise Your Beat, dedicated yogini and sun seeker, she lives for creating connection and enjoying simple pleasures. For more information, visit Lauren’s website, Instagram and Facebook page.
Go to BookYogaRetreats.com and choose among thousands of yoga retreats that will strengthen both your personal and business relationships, teaching you to better understand and trust your partner.