I’m celebrating 6 years of Be More with Less. I started working on the blog in April 2010, and published my first post that May. It was the first of many small steps to create a soul-centered business that has evolved in the most surprising ways.
I didn’t know much in the beginning. but I did know …
- I wanted to encourage people to simplify their lives for better health, and more love in their lives.
- The stress from the work I was doing was overwhelming; partly because of the corporate culture, but mostly because after several years of simplifying my life, I didn’t believe in the work I was doing anymore.
- I wanted to create work that supported better health and more love in my own life including flexible hours, the opportunity to be creative, and a revenue model that allowed me to reject advertising pitches and other requests that weren’t aligned with my heart and soul.
I was still working full-time at my soul-sucking job when I started, but from the moment I pressed publish on my first post, I could feel the weight lifting. 16 months later, I gave my notice and became a full-time writer-entrepreneur. Forgoing a steady paycheck was scary, but I knew it was worth it the first time I got to wake up and take a walk around the lake instead of going to another Monday morning weekly meeting.
Recently, someone asked me what my favorite part of my business is and I said writing, but after giving it some thought, I realized that the best part of my work is that it is soul-centered. What I mean by that is I trust myself to know what’s best for my business. I don’t ignore what I know in the name of making more money, growing faster, or pleasing someone else.
It’s not always easy, but it’s the simplest, most rewarding way to do business. It means, I don’t say yes when my heart says no. A soul-centered business gives me the confidence to try things when I don’t know if they will work, the clarity to know the difference between helpful criticism and negative feedback and the strength to know when to let go.
Working from a soul-centered place allows me to notice when I’m working too much, or working in a way that isn’t supporting health and love in my life. When that’s happening I can change course quickly instead of waiting for a breakdown.
I have more to learn, but now I know …
- I don’t know what’s going to happen next. That type of uncertainty used to make me crazy, but after 6 years, I trust things to unfold in a way that fuels me creatively, supports good health, love, and joy in my life.
- I can’t do it alone. I need people to help me in lots of different ways. Asking for help used to be a struggle, but now I know I can’t be good at everything, and there isn’t time to do it all.
- If I put my heart and soul on the line word after word, post after post, and day after day, I will connect with people who connect with the real me. We are alike. Our hearts are alike. Instead of buying your attention with advertising I stay focused on offering helpful solutions, sharing my story, and appreciating every moment of our connection because I know how important it is to my work, my heart, and my soul.
Creating a soul-centered business wasn’t an overnight, woo-woo kind of thing for me. Instead, it is quietly and consistently noticing what matters most to me, and figuring out how to keep those most important things front and center in my work and life. By creating space and time by simplifying my life, I’m finally able to hear what my heart wants and actually listen to my soul.
I hope you love your work, not every day, or every task, but most days. When you really enjoy what you do, and believe in your work, you’ll encourage better health and more love in your life.
Congratulations, Courtney! That’s exciting to see a glimpse into the hard work you’ve put into developing your business identity. Here’s to the next six years of great content and success!
Hi Courtney! I’ve had a blog for over 4 1/2 years but have never made any money. The only money I’ve made is when I write for others but that’s inconsistent and not much. I left my soul sucking job (with cutbacks, fortunately I at least get unemployment for a short time) so I have a window to really get things off the ground. I have an editor for my book, a web designer that’s getting ready to launch my page. I’ve done TONS of public speaking through my jobs and I love it! I’d also love to coach 1:1 and be able to choose it, but public speaking is where my #1 priority is. I don’t know how to make money on all of it. Totally lost there. Have a great team though, and now with you offering this as a possibility that’s wonderful. Although I’m ahead of some people, without generating an income, I feel behind….. I’ve taken your other micro-courses and they were very helpful.
This post brought tears to my eyes. It came at exactly the right time and in exactly the right way. Thank you!! I am just making that transition from a steady paycheck to my own soul-centered business (full-time), and I am excited and scared and eager and anticipatory and overwhelmed and all of those emotions. Reading this was another beautiful reminder that I’m not alone, and others have gone through this, and are happier than they’ve ever been. So once more, from the bottom of my heart, thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Just leaving you a little love, Courtney. You and your blog have always inspired me!
Dear Courtney,
I am a reader of many blogs from fashion, lifestyle, motherhood to photography.
But when everything seems so overwhelming because of many do’s and don’t’s, consumerism, ads or confusion, I find myself coming back to you.
Out of the blogs that I follow, you are the most with the heart.
You respond, you teach, you ask. Your simplicity and sincerity always warm me.
You were like a long-distance mentor when I was starting my old blog. Every time I ask myself what do I really want to do, my answer is to be more with less. In every way that matters.
Sending all my gratitude to your work & for the person that you are, all the way from Italy.
This is such a lovely comment! 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
Your story of aligning your work with your soul is so inspiring, Courtney! I’m so happy for your success monetarily and soul-speaking. Much love to you.
Courtney, I wouldn’t be where I am right now without you! I’m so blessed to be writing the books I’d always dreamed about and having the confidence to market and sell them. My mental health is so much better after almost two years of my soul centered business. Keep spreading the word and the hope!
“I don’t say yes when my heart says no” YES! This sums up all my career goals in a few beautiful words. I’m still working out all the details, but this is definitely how I want to live my life. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Courtney, it’s been fun and inspiring to read your posts. I’m happy to hear that you’ve been able to realize your soul-centered business dreams. I hope to do something similar with my new blog eventually…we’ll see. For now it is fun and I have no soul-sucking job to run from. 🙂
Beautiful post! I started focusing more on my creative side about 9 months ago. I have a travel blog and am working on my first book. I’m still working my 9-5 and while it isn’t ‘soul sucking’ I know it’s not the right fit for me long term. My goals are very similar to yours when you started out. It’s always nice to be reminded that good things can come to those who are determined and willing to work hard for what they want.
A wonderful and inspiring post, as ever. I hate flying, but the idea of packing a small bag and driving somewhere new really appeals, even on my own! Such freedom, I can’t wait to try this…..
Courtney,
Unfortunately, question #3 only allowed me to make a single selection. I would have checked several of the choices you listed.
In any event, I look forward to your new venture!
Thanks,
Craig