“Spirituality is not just about religion, it’s about having a sense of peace and purpose in your life,” says Oprah Winfrey, who perfectly captures the growing trend of female entrepreneurs incorporating spirituality into their businesses.
Meditation, visualization, and affirmations are just a few examples of spiritual practices that have become common tools for female entrepreneurs. These practices help reduce stress, increase focus and productivity, and create a positive and empowering mindset.
However, it’s important to be aware of potential pitfalls, such as being perceived as unprofessional or becoming too reliant on spiritual practices. Despite these risks, many women entrepreneurs have successfully incorporated spirituality into their businesses and found a greater sense of fulfillment and success.
In today’s world, entrepreneurship has become a popular career choice for many women. The ability to create and manage a business on their own terms, and to make an impact in the world has become increasingly important for women in business. However, for many women, the pursuit of success goes beyond just financial gain or career advancement. It’s about finding a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in their work and creating a positive impact on the world. This pursuit often leads women entrepreneurs to integrate spirituality into their businesses.
Oprah says: “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but on significance – and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.”
For many women, spirituality is an integral part of finding that significance and aligning their businesses with their personal values and purpose.
Spirituality can be defined as a belief in something greater than oneself, and a search for meaning and purpose in life. It encompasses a wide range of practices, including meditation, prayer, gratitude, and mindfulness. By incorporating these practices into their businesses, women entrepreneurs can align their work with their values and purpose and create a more meaningful impact.
Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post, is one example of a woman who has successfully integrated spirituality into her business. In her book Thrive she writes about the importance of incorporating mindfulness and meditation into our lives and businesses. She says that by doing so, we can reduce stress and increase productivity, while also creating a more fulfilling life.
“Spirituality is not just about religion, it’s about having a sense of peace and purpose in your life.”
Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, is another example of a successful woman entrepreneur who has integrated spirituality into her business. She has publicly discussed her spiritual practices, including “gratitude journaling” and meditation. She says these practices have helped her to stay grounded and focused on her purpose, despite the challenges of running a multi-billion-dollar company.
However, incorporating spirituality into business also comes with its own set of challenges and potential pitfalls. One major concern is that it can be seen as unprofessional or even inappropriate in some industries. It’s important to strike a balance between being authentic to your beliefs and maintaining a professional image.
Another challenge is ensuring that your spiritual practices do not become a distraction from the day-to-day operations of your business. It’s important to find a balance between taking time for self-care and ensuring that your business remains a top priority.
So, how can women entrepreneurs integrate spirituality into their businesses while still maintaining a professional image and ensuring that their business remains a top priority?
Archana Reddy, the founder, and intuitive transformational facilitator of Embody Your MasteryTM is a spiritual seeker and eternal student who aims to help, empower, and unleash your great potential that hides under unwanted corporate burnouts, life transition, and limiting beliefs.
From a very young age, she grew up with a strong sense of spirituality in the Hindu faith where philosophy and life practices were part of her upbringing. Her grandfather was a Vedic scholar, philanthropist, and co-founder of a sacred temple in South India.
For more than two decades alongside her work in the corporate realm, she has worked with hundreds of healers and more than a dozen coaches and helped a lot of people with “turning point moments” in their lives.
Archana says spirituality is an inside-out job.
“It’s how one handles every aspect of life, especially challenges that life inevitably throws our way. Do we choose to grow or to shrink? Do we choose to go deep within our very soul and spirit to source the wisdom and answers or stay stuck? It is a very practical tool that one can use to navigate life, not just a contemplation of life but how that contemplation reflects and
translates into a meaningful life full of joy, purpose, and wisdom.”
Archana speaks of the “Three Cs” of ethical/spiritual leadership, the first of which is compassion: “In the face of suffering – one’s own or that of others – one can turn away or turn towards it and be a voice of compassion or a hand to uplift. It does not always require bold steps but even a small gesture will do.
“In organizations, the need for results and bottom-line profits sometimes does away with the need to see the humanity in a person or situation. There can be room for both humanity and results.”
Courage is next, Archana says, in the sense it takes a true leader to lead by example, by virtue of acting in the right way, not taking the most convenient path.
“There are many instances or situations where it is easy to take the path of least resistance yet what is really required is the path of courage. To either speak the inconvenient truth or to stand up for what is right or just. It takes conviction and courage to go against the grain and give up one’s comfort to act in an ethical way.”
Competencies are not just hard skills but also human skills – the combination of the head and heart-based leadership that leads to the greatest engagement and results. Archana says people want to know they matter and that they are contributing to a greater mission and purpose; that they’re not just a cog in the corporate wheel.
“It’s how one handles every aspect of life, especially challenges that life inevitably throws our way. Do we choose to grow or to shrink?”
While they might use slightly different phrasing, these women agree that you need to identify your core values and purpose to align your business with your spirituality and create a more meaningful impact. Find a practice that works for you. It’s important to set boundaries around your spiritual practices to ensure that they do not become a distraction from your work. Set aside specific times for your practice and communicate these boundaries to your team.
Another important aspect of integrating spirituality into business is understanding that it is a personal journey. Each woman’s path to spirituality is unique, and it’s important to find practices that resonate with you personally. Some may prefer to incorporate mindfulness meditation into their daily routine, while others may find comfort in prayer or gratitude journaling.
Jenna Brocious, creator of Positive Intention Prayer Cards, understands firsthand how essential spirituality is in both professional and private lives. But what does spirituality, in this sense, even mean?
“Spirituality is knowing oneself,” she says. “Knowing oneself more than others is a huge advantage in all aspects of life. Finding your true purpose and following your desires is a powerful move. Having clarity and intention will always lead you down the right path. Investing time in yourself allows the truth of your heart and mind to show itself fully.”
Authenticity is key when it comes to integrating spirituality into your business. Be true to yourself and your beliefs, and don’t be afraid to share your journey with others. Seek support. Find a community of like-minded individuals who can support you on your spiritual journey. This can be a mentor, coach, or group of peers who share your values and beliefs.
There are, however, some potential challenges to integrating spirituality into business. One concern is that it can be seen as unprofessional or even inappropriate in certain industries. For example, a financial institution may not be receptive to an employee who openly discusses their spiritual beliefs. In these cases, it’s important to strike a balance between being authentic to your beliefs and maintaining a professional image.
Another challenge is ensuring that spiritual practices do not become a distraction from the day-to-day operations of a business. Entrepreneurs need to find a balance between taking time for self-care and ensuring that their business remains a top priority. Setting boundaries around spiritual practices can help ensure that they do not interfere with work responsibilities.
Despite such challenges, many women have successfully integrated spirituality into their businesses. One example is entrepreneur and author Gabby Bernstein, who has built a successful career around teaching others about spirituality and personal growth. Her books, workshops, and online courses all incorporate spiritual practices, and she gives seminars about how spirituality has helped her in her own career.
Another example is entrepreneur and author Marie Forleo, who has built a business around helping others create successful businesses and lives. She speaks about the importance of spirituality in her own life and how it has helped her navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
She says spirituality can be a powerful tool for women entrepreneurs to create a business that is aligned with their values and purpose. By finding a balance between spirituality and professionalism, women can tap into their inner wisdom and create a more fulfilling and successful business.
