A few years ago, I was leading an intimate retreat in Costa Rica. Towards the end of the retreat, one of the women came up to me and held my hands, as she looked into my eyes. “Thank you for the way you do your work. I know you have so many options and there are far more lucrative ways to spend your time than leading small retreats, and I am so grateful that you do your work in this way.”
That moment is – and may forever be – etched on my heart. It stuck because it’s true that the choice to lead intimate retreats has been very deliberate.
But there was a time when I seriously questioned the way I do my work…
A few years ago, I was having a phone catch up with a friend who has been uber successful in her business. She asked me if I was still doing small scale retreats, private coaching, and leading my mastermind. When I told her I was, she lovingly insisted that I should stop because “they’re not scalable” (which is true). But the thing is…
I’d still create intimate experiences, even if I had all the time and money in the world.
Many of us love our work, but feel pressure to do it in a different way.
That pressure can be healthy, driven by a deeper calling and inspiration to reshape it. It can also be unhealthy, driven by comparison, competition, or formulaic pathways to “success”.
When the drive to reshape our work is unhealthy, it’s often fueled by the illusion that if we made more money, we’d be happier.
Ironically, many of us left our comfortable jobs because the money wasn’t enough, then end up prioritizing the money over the integrity of the work.
Why not find the creative way to have both?
Doing our work in integrity with the work itself is crucial to its effectiveness and our success.
…our work will have more depth and be of greater service.
…we will be more nourished and satisfied by it.
…over time, we’ll become known for the quality of experience we provide.
I could make more money if I shifted my retreats to be shorter, in cheaper locations, with cheaper foods, and with more people. But unless I find a way to do any of those any of those things in a way that would improve (or at least maintain) the quality and spirit of the work, I would be doing a disservice to myself, my clients, and the work itself.
Not everything is meant to be “big”
Not everything is supposed to “scale”
Not all strategies work for all things
It’s possible to thrive in your work while doing things your way. The key is discovering what’s true for you.
If I had everything…
I’d still lead intimate retreats.
I’d still mastermind with women called to lead.
I’d still reflect women’s brilliance.
I’d still add delightful touches of beauty.
If you had everything, what would you continue do?
Leave a comment below, and feel free to share this post with others.
To our work being true,
Nisha
This is a healing. 💗💗
I am so glad it brought you some comfort and healing. Thank you for being here!
What a great question Nisha! If you had everything, what would you continue to do? I’d continue to encourage courage. I’d continue to break paradigms of success, stretching people into something oh so much more delicious – fulfillment. I’d continue to create experiences and stories that inspire vulnerability and possibility. I’d continue to live simply, embracing a ‘lavish’ minimalist lifestyle. I’d continue to CREATE things that light me up and illuminate the world every. single. day. And now for my question to you…when are you writing a book about the soul of leadership? You are such a prolific and gentle and honest writer. PS. your retreat is the BEST i’ve been on.
Oh Amber- I am receiving this with so much love! I adore your encouragement of courage, breaking paradigms, and creating things that light you and the world up. You are a bright light!
Amen, Sister Nisha~Thank you fo acknowledging how hard it can be to follow our inner guide when externally many people do things in other ways. I have faced the same question and I have had to honor my love for the results that are created when I work one on one with business owners and their finances. The magic is so powerful and intense to improve people’s financial lives that I would never want to dilute it. I tried a group and it helped some people but some needed the one on one and I felt unsatisfied that they didn’t have the most optimal experience, that I have come to expect from work with people individually. Thank you again for following your heart and sharing about it. Much love to you, Carenna
I am so glad this speaks to you and you discovered how best to serve your purpose and help others. Much love
If I had everything I would still be heading towards my deepest purpose of inspiration through truth and transparency for moms who hold space for little ones with incredibly rich souls and need what our world still needs to create…so we become their pathfinders and we lead with truth, integrity and gentle surrender. My greatest learning is being where I am and knowing that the struggles are shared but not isolated. I intent to inspire hearts and write to moms out there who feel their intuition speak to them but feel bombarded by the heaviness of our society’s treadmill.
Thank for your open heart Nisha✨ 🙏🏼✨ I feel our journey has only just begun, we have come together a shifting point of my journey as a woman and mother… Your words brought me to tears and filled my heart. Namasté
Thank you, Marijke! I am so glad this resonates with you and to hear from your beautiful heart. <3
So, I accidentally stumbled upon this blog, and I even questioned myself.
If I had everything, I would continue to keep creating art and playing my ukulele everywhere I go; and I do this every day.
No doubt very less is needed to be happy.
Thank you so much for reminding this!
I am so glad this speaks to you and allows you that spark to keep creating! So glad you are here.