Some goals are measurable and some are intangible and hard to quantify but are just as important to plan for and to track their success.

At the beginning of each week I set the intention for where I want to put my time, energy and focus both in my personal life and in my business. At the end of the week, I reflect back and see if my actions followed my intentions. 

This routine allows for some closure to the week and some clarity around where I am on track toward my larger business and life goals.

These are some of the key questions I ask:

What went well this week?
What went off the rails and why?
What did I learn?
How did or do I move forward?
Who am I grateful for this week?
How did my actions create a positive impact at home, work or in the community? 
What is one tiny way I can celebrate (however big or small the accomplishment)?

This weekly practice has a cumulative impact over time as it helps to create new intentions and...

Thinking about the end of your business while you are starting it or navigating its growth can seem counter intuitive, but it can actually be one of the most powerful planning strategies. This process can be just as much fun as planning an adventure, road trip or vacation.

In each of those scenarios, you are likely to have a purpose for your adventure, a destination and some idea of what you want to experience, right? And at the end - you can picture getting home safely, having some time to decompress and unpack, and then having memories to return to.

Your business is no different. All things eventually come to an end and it can bring great peace and joy to know what that desired state looks like ahead of time, so that you can make decisions along the way to support that end.

• running a school
• long term lease/rental to a farmer
• tiny house community
• RV park
• subdivided homes and condos
• raising livestock
• developing a restaurant

While some of these ideas have been interesting...

When we lose site of our vision and purpose in business, this leads to feelings of overwhelm, "swirling" in indecision and ultimately feelings of burnout.

One of my favorite exercises with clients who are just starting out or re-visioning their businesses is to go back to the core drivers and values...the big "why's".

• Why did you (or do you) want to start your business?
• Why is your business concept helpful to others (your customer base)?
• Why are you the perfect person to pull this off?

I have found that spending time answering these basic, core questions can result in insights that I wasn't expecting (both for myself and my clients).

For example, if one of your "why's " is more time freedom, but you find you are glued to your computer with endless feelings of "there's not enough time"- then something is not in alignment and its worth exploring strategies for making a shift.

The true "bottom line" in business is not how much money you are bringing in... it would be better...

I'm guessing you have heard the term "reap what you sow." Unfortunately, our hard work doesn't always equate to desired results. Sometimes things don't go as planned, we don’t get a return on that investment, or the seeds we've planted don’t grow ( OR the frost comes right before harvest :).

Regardless of your current situation or the outcome of your efforts - you can harvest joy and REAP reward by following these simple steps: 

R - Rest - rest is critical for your body, mind and spirit to renew. It is also critical for decision making and prioritizing. If you are feeling a lack of joy or increased chaos- sleep on it! If this is hard for you...consider mediation, slow walks in nature, warm baths, healthy diet and turning off the screen.

E - Explore Your Nature - each of us are equipped with an internal navigation system that lets us know when something feels “warmer” or “colder”. Track yourself...what interests you?...

We all have stories.

Stories that have shaped how we show up in the world and some that have even defined us.

Stories are generated from the narrative we tell ourselves about our circumstances.

Sometimes those stories perpetuate more stories.

So, what story are you telling today about your business or your life?
What is that narrative?

Is this the story you want to be telling? 
If not, how would you re-write it- even for this weekend?

If you are looking back on Monday evening, what would you have wanted to feel, experience or express?

For me this weekend, I want my story to be that I gave my business brain a rest, that I was open to connection and present in my choices, that my house feels clean, organized and set up for fall, and my body feels hydrated, exercised and nourished.

What about you?

Write your future narrative and see what happens.

 Jen Visitacion
Founder/CEO 
Moonstone Ventures

I think we all know that it's dangerous to compare ourselves to others, right?

What good becomes of it?

Yet its human nature, like moths to a flame, to take a peek at others' lives and businesses and do a little comparison.

This can be a helpful exercise and can serve you when you are looking for new models, a way to differentiate yourself, or inspiration. It can be harmful when the comparison leaves you feeling like who you are or what you are doing might not be enough.

If you find yourself in this situation, consider trying this deliberate activity of compare and contrast by answering these three simple questions:

• How are you and this other person or business similar? (find 3 ways)
• How are you uniquely different? (find 3 ways)
• How does this serve you and/or your clients/ customers? (find 3 ways)

As you are answering these questions, notice which answers make you feel stronger and more confident. Consider how you might put more intention and focus there. 

This...

What would it feel like to be successful in your business?
Have you thought about it that way?
What if the indicators of success were made up completely by you?

Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed with how they will make their businesses financially sustainable.

While having financial goals is an important piece of the puzzle, I have noticed that even when the money is in the bank, that doesn't mean you will feel successful.

Why is that?

I have a hunch it's because our culture has a tendency to put the pressure on to say it's never enough. We need more security, more systems, more growth, blah blah blah.

Is that true?

What if what we really need is more joy, connection, and space for creativity?

AND

What if focusing on those indicators of success would help the bottom line?

Happy Friday,
Jen

I was thinking this week about my plants in the garden and how some of them thrive in certain spaces and some of them don’t.

On the back of their seed packets are specific instructions for how deep the seeds should be planted, how far apart from each other, when they should be planted (soil temp), etc.

Are people really any different?

Do we each actually have a set of ideal planting and cultivating instructions that if we followed we would set ourselves up to thrive and be more resilient?

What would those be for you?

If you were to write a description of your planting instructions- what would those look like? 

Here are some ideas:

• What climate does your body enjoy the most? Or do you like change with seasons?
• How closely do you like to be “planted” next to others? Do you need little or abundant space?
• Are there certain companions that help you thrive and strengthen your resilience? Are there some that make you feel weaker? Consider what kind of distance or...

I need to head to the big city to get my car serviced, so I’m taking myself on a date.

I plan to sit and savor food in a restaurant and go to a book store and stay in a hotel.

I don’t feel a strong need to “get away” from anything, I just know that spending some quality, intentional time alone is so important.

Without a list, without expectation, without coordinating logistics.

I know that taking this time for me makes me more present and open with others.

It makes me return to home with gratitude for the life I lead and the people I love.

And… it's fun.

What would you do on a date with yourself?

Perhaps it's time to schedule that.

Happy Friday,
Jen

When I think about the freedom I want most for myself and for you… 

it's freedom from suffering.  

Suffering from thoughts that make us feel like we’re somehow not enough, or that there isn’t enough or that any good measure of success starts and ends with our financial statements.   

Suffering from ideas that the weight of the world,  family or business rests solely on our shoulders.

Suffering because a mindset of productivity and responsibility without balance, leads to results of disconnection and overwhelm.

Suffering because we know that inequities of freedom for “some” are at the cost of freedom for all and sometimes we feel powerless to affect change- even in ourselves.

As we enter a weekend intended to celebrate America’s independence and freedom, I invite us to consider if our freedom is in balance or if we are shackled to ideas or ideals that actually create less freedom in our lives or the lives of...