Birthing a Business

Just do it. That's what I was thinking as I crossed the yard this morning on my way to do my workout. I had just been lacing up my shoes in the living room and said to my husband that I wasn't looking forward to my workout. Pretty pathetic when my workout is only seven minutes! (The New York Times Seven Minute Workout), plus a ten minute series of stretches to keep my chronic back pain at bay.

As I crossed the yard, I made myself stop and look at the flowering tulip tree and feel the sun and listen to the birds chirp. Sounds idillic, doesn't it? Well, our house is about the smallest rental you can find and in the middle of Oakland, CA. Not exactly The Healing Farm! BUT, stopping and "smelling the roses" gave me just enough boost to get me going and ALWAYS when I need just a little more boost I repeat that old but perpetually fantastic Nike ad slogan "Just do it!" in my head. Seriously. It works.

I opened the blinds in my office to let the sun in and put on one of my favorite DJ mixes compliments of DJ Dan's Soundcloud channel (Marty Funkhauser's "Live @ SpiritBar" opener (strong language warning at the beginning if you decide to listen to this great mix!) and just did it. By the end I felt so much better that I stayed and danced a little. What a way to start the day. It reminded me of listening to Deborah Szekely, founder of Rancho La Puerta and now people's health and wellness lobby advocate of "Wellness Warrior". I'm lucky enough to be able to go to Rancho La Puerta every once in a while to do photography for their marketing materials and whenever I'm there and Deborah is speaking I make it a point to see her. She's an incredible person and such an inspiration to me. The last time I was there, she was coming off of a terrible family tragedy that had only happened a couple of weeks before. Despite what she was going through, not only did she come to talk to the guests at the ranch, but she told us that every morning she wakes up and does a little happy wiggle with her whole body. Even in the depths of tragedy. Deborah is almost 94 years old. That says a lot about keeping a positive attitude.

Starting a new business (especially while running another), going through my own personal family crisis and learning how to write a business plan will be a perpetual challenge for me. It's an emotional roller coaster and at some times I want to throw in the towel. But then I have a sunny morning like today and I think maybe, just maybe I CAN "Just do it". Not just my little seven minute workout, but building a retreat center that is tasteful and affordable, not super swank, not too new age or hippie dippy. Just right for the middle market. It'll be the "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" of the retreat and spa industry!

I put on a pair of "lucky" underwear (doesn't everyone have lucky underwear?) after my shower, opened my e-mail and had four positive e-mails waiting for me. One from a former employer, one from my business class instructor and two from retreat clients. Will I succeed with The Healing Farm? I don't know, but if I don't give it a try, I will never know.

Put on your lucky underwear and JUST DO IT!