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Subject: Want to turn your business into a masterpiece? 🎨
Ever read about Michelangelo’s approach to sculpting magnificent works of art?
Apparently, “the legendary sculptor would carve away the excess marble to reveal the statue already waiting in the block of uncut stone, as if he were freeing a prisoner from a deep sleep”. *
Michelangelo’s task wasn’t to create a masterpiece, it was to chisel away everything non-essential to reveal the beauty contained within.
There’s something really inspiring about this story.
I imagine Michelangelo sitting on a wooden stool thoughtfully observing his block of marble, wondering, “What doesn’t belong here? What’s not serving my vision?”
It makes me think about the way we create our businesses.
Most people create their business using a blueprint handed to them by someone else.
Who taught you how to build your business… a supervisor, colleague, business coach, step-by-step online course?
There’s no shame in starting with someone else’s blueprint, but at some point, you have to take the chisel into your own hands and make your business your own.
Even the great Michelangelo often started with someone else’s blueprint! For example, he took over the sculpture of David from another artist who started the piece but never finished it.
The problem for most therapists is that we spend years trying to force our businesses to replicate someone else’s vision. This process is hard, stressful, and ultimately uninspiring.
What if we followed Michelangelo’s approach instead?
What if you trusted that there’s something beautiful inside of the business you’ve created – something that would meet your needs and positively impact the clients you serve?
If you internalize this belief, you can step away from all of the shoulds, pick up your chisel, and begin to carve away everything non-essential in your life and business.
Whenever you feel resistance, frustration, resentment, or exhaustion, get curious about what chunk of marble needs to be chiseled away.
Ask yourself, “What doesn’t belong here? What’s not serving my vision?”
Maybe it’s seeing clients in the evenings, charging too little, trying to market on social media, or guilting yourself into working with clients who bore you to tears. This is a no judgment zone!
If it doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t work for you.
It doesn’t matter if it works for someone else.
You are the artist here. It’s your job to chisel away everything that doesn’t belong to reveal the beautiful, authentic, life-changing business waiting within.
Find a moment this week to pause, reflect, and ask yourself what needs to be removed from your business so that it better serves you.
If you feel inspired, hit reply and let me know. I’d love to support your chiseling.
Talk soon,
Maegan
*That quote used above is from Mark Nepo’s Drinking From the River of Light. I almost added an APA citation, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it! Still rebelling against my academic days. #sorrynotsorry
