The thing my business coach gets wrong (and what to do instead)
Recently, I’ve been working with a business coach who has really shifted my way of thinking and taught me a lot. But there’s one thing he says that makes me want to crawl out of my skin.
“You want your business to run like a well oiled machine.”
No, dude, I do not.
I have a way bigger vision for my business – and for yours.
We’re here to steward thriving meadows, thank you very much.
Why build a well-oiled machine when you can cultivate a thriving meadow?
I get where he’s coming from: keep things running smoothly, prioritize efficiency, and focus on maximizing output. Sounds like a recipe for revenue! But we wind up pushing ourselves to work harder, longer, and faster, all in the name of growth and success.
But what if I told you true success wasn’t about squeezing every last drop of energy out of yourself or your business? What if the hustle, the grind, and the unrelenting pursuit of perfection aren’t the only (or best!) paths forward? What if our work could be regenerative, rather than extractive?
The Shift: From "Well-Oiled Machine" to "Thriving Meadow"
A meadow is part of a living, breathing ecosystem—an interconnected web where everything works together in harmony. It’s teeming with life, beauty, and abundance.
Instead of striving to produce endlessly, this model creates conditions for growth, support, and prosperity.
It adapts to the seasons, nurtures all the life within it, and knows that thriving comes from working with the natural flow of life, not against it.
In a thriving meadow, every part of the system plays a role in supporting the whole. The flowers, the grasses, the soil, the bees, and the rain all contribute to the ecosystem’s vitality. There’s no pushing or forcing; there’s alignment, connection, and organic growth.
This is the model I know we need to embrace as soul-centered entrepreneurs.
What Does This Paradigm Shift Mean for Your Business?
It means that success is not just about output. It’s about creating a business that is rooted in purpose, that grows and evolves naturally, and that aligns with your values. It’s set up for abundant, buzzing energy – not extractive output at risk of breakdown.
4 things I’ve learned about cultivating a thriving meadow of a business:
Cyclical growth: Just like the seasons, business has its natural cycles. There are times for planting, times for growth, times for harvest, and times for rest. Instead of pushing through at full speed all the time, we can embrace the ebb and flow of natural rhythms – and trust that the harvest will come if we plant the seeds.
Connection and community: Just as a meadow thrives through its ecosystem, your business can thrive through connection. It’s not about doing everything alone; it’s about building relationships, supporting your clients, allowing yourself to be supported, and being in community with other like-minded people.
I just got back from a mind-blowing event teeming with inspiring entrepreneurs, and whoa did that help catapult my business forward! I’ll be sharing top takeaways soon, but in the meantime, look for your own opportunities for connection.
Sustainability: Nature doesn’t exhaust itself trying to do everything—it is a necessarily nurturing system, and allows room for regeneration. In your business, this might mean setting boundaries, honoring your energy, and focusing on the things that truly serve your purpose.
Purposeful output: When everything is aligned, your efforts feel less like “work” and more like creative expression. You’re creating offerings that are in full alignment with who you are, and the results come naturally. When you unlock this approach, it feels downright juicy to get to work.
How to Begin Shifting Your Business Model
As you step into this new mentality, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
Am I creating a sustainable business, or am I burning out trying to make everything perfect? What can I let go of?
What parts of my business feel forced or out of alignment? How can I shift those to be more in flow?
How can I nurture my business like a garden—focusing on growth, support, and harmony?
Where can I build deeper connections with my clients and community to create more support and collaboration?
If you’re ready to shift from the grind to the flow, to start building a business that’s alive, vibrant, and sustainable—then I might be the coach for you. Right now I have three ways we can work together:
Get ready for your most buzzworthy year yet by stepping into the support of 1x1 coaching. Schedule your discovery call here to see if we’re the right fit.
Join Full Moon Flash Coaching. You can find the next session right up there under the Workshops tab.
Get on the Thrive Experience waitlist. Previous students have called this program “empowering” and “game-changing” — and the next session is going to be even better. Get on the waitlist here.
