Yesterday I was leading a coaching group, via phone, on developing the confidence to be your own boss. During class we discussed the concept of burning desire and its origination from Spirit or God. Have you ever considered where your new business ideas come from?
Interestingly this talk about desire surfaced when we were addressing how so many budding entrepreneurs fear that their business ideas won’t create enough income for their family’s needs. Fear around the lack of money is the number one obstacle that stops new business owners from ever getting started.
Many in this phone class were emboldened by this idea of being blessed with Divine desire. We agreed, that it’s spiritually meaningful that we’ve all been gifted with unique talents and strengths. There must be some practical reason for this Divine differentiation and that is this: we are already equipped to build the business that we want to build. Laurie from class said, “I don’t think God would send us on a wild goose chase.” I agree. I believe in a loving Spirit that wants only good for us.
Read this powerfully inspiring sentence from Emilie Cady’s classic, Lessons In Truth. Then read it again and really let it sink in.
Desire is the thing you want in incipiency; that is, the thing you desire is not only for you, but has already been started toward you out of the heart of God; and it is the first approach of the thing itself striking you that makes you desire it, or even think of it at all. Emilie Cady
This means that from the initial moment that a faint flicker of the idea flashed into your mind, your new business has already launched. Your burning desire for a new business has already formed in the universal ethers and it is just waiting for your commitment to bring it into being. 
Please consider this: if you’re business idea did come directly from the heart of God, aren’t you showing tremendous disrespect by not making your move to the freedom of self-employment?
If you don’t believe that desires are Divinely sent, then what do you believe in, randomness? I’m not endorsing predetermination in any way. Certainly you’re uniquely equipped to build the business you were meant to build. But that’s as far as it goes. Our free will takes over then and what we ultimately develop is based on the choices we make.
In my coaching practice, I’ve always taken a holistic approach because it seems silly not to use everything that we have. We have four realms of power why use less? I find it surprising, that many fear using their spiritual strengths in their businesses. It’s one reason I enjoy working more with solopreneurs than with corporations. With the self-employed there is less emphasis on what’s appropriate and greater emphasis on what’s effective.
What about you? Have you had a business hunch you haven’t acted on?
Where do you think it came from?
Do you routinely engage Spirit in your business?
Tom,
As one of the people on the phone (the one in the stairwell all covert-like, HA!) I really enjoyed the discussion.
Lately it seems so many things are dovetailing together and pointing me in a certain direction. You talking about desires being sent divinely echoes a call I was on last month that involved a very similar quote. Things in my work, with people close to me, books and blogs I have been drawn to or discovered accidentally, events and interactiions…
These things are all nudging me for a reason and I cannot believe otherwise.
Thanks for a great call. Look forward to talking to you again soon.
>Please consider this; if your business idea did come directly from the heart of God aren’t you showing tremendous disrespect by not making your move to the freedom of self-employment?
I fully agree with your notion that not following through on your inspired idea is an injustice to yourself and to the world. You’re depriving the gift from above to actually make an impact.
I fully believe that all desires ultimately stem from one’s inner-most desire to be his/her true self. The way God created you to be.
Your original, God-given self->desire and idea for business->designed to make positive impact to the world.
If it indeed makes positive impact to the world, then the world will turn around and help you sustain your activity, as it wants you to do what you’re doing.
If you believe that your ideas come from God, but it will not be supported by sufficient amount of wordly resource of money to make it self-sustaining, then there appears to be something illogical.
But then again, fear often IS illogical. Once we realize that and identify the precise source of that illogical fear, then we can move on to working on purging it. I think that’s a very essential preparation for everyone who is planning to pursue their own ventures.
ari
Ari Koinumas last blog post..Blog Carnival: 10 Posts about Realizing Your Potential — September 2008
Hmmm, interesting post Tom. Personally, I was raised catholic but my beliefs don’t really fit into the classic God. I’m not a big fan of organized religion (for myself) and believe it’s something each individual can discover on their own (or through a group, whatever’s clever). I feel there’s something that we’re all a part of that I can’t quite explain but it’s not necessarily a god or some big entity, it may just be our thoughts and those of our ancestors combined. Who knows for sure. It’s a great topic to discuss and theorize about because none of use can be right or wrong and nearly all of us have ideas and thoughts about it.
Still, I like your idea that those light-bulb moments are not just random points picked out of the ether but rather have an intrinsic importance to them. Personally, I feel they happen because we let our guard down and let those electrical impulses in our brain actually work more efficiently to dig these thoughts and ideas out and bring them to our forethought.
Wherever they come from, the fact that we can almost instantly recognize that they are ideas that fit us and that we should follow through on and have an intrinsic natural talent for shows the inherent value of these ideas. Surely, not many of us were meant to be simple paper pushers or busy bots and to ignore our more meaningful purpose is to ignore ourselves!
Christine you were a delight to have in the group. Just that fact that you were calling from the stairwell pointed out the futility of the ridiculous control that employers try to maintain. Yes that’s quite an accumulation of nudges saying that your time has come. Be sure to return and tell us when you make your move to freedom.
Ari what you said here “If it indeed makes positive impact to the world, then the world will turn around and help you sustain your activity, as it wants you to do what you’re doing.” made me think if a line that spiritual guru Arnold patent used to say. “Follow your boldest nudges and the phone will ring.” What most folks forget is they can’t settle for a second place dream. To receive that support they they need to go for their boldest and strongest idea, a first place dream. It’s always a pleasure Ari to read your in depth, well thought out comments.
Adam thanks for your candor buddy. I too was raised a Roman Catholic and I too have changed my mind frequently on the idea of God or Spirit. My views are kind of close to yours. I sense a Divine intelligence permeating omnipresently but I really don’t have to imagine this intelligence in any traditional or non-traditional form for that matter. You’re right, to each his own. I hope I didn’t come across as preachy at all. I’ve already gotten an unsubscribe this morning and I hope it’s not connected to the tone of this post.
You said, “Surely, not many of us were meant to be simple paper pushers or busy bots and to ignore our more meaningful purpose is to ignore ourselves!” Well said man, yet I’ve met janitors who whistled while they worked and lightened up all of those around them. It would be a very interesting world if every single one of us would simply do what they were gifted to do. Somehow I think it would all fit together nicely.
Hi Tom,
There is no difference between my business and my spirit…all that I am flows from all that is.
I have often thanked Life that although I love science and study it with a passion, I was not born to be a scientist. I think most of my best work for clients has come from inspired thought, and often from hours or days of silence.
Facts are facts of what is known, but connection to spirit, AHHH, that is where all the truth of what is and is not known resides.
I am sure I will see you around there…:-) Thank you for this thoughtful post!
Harmonys last blog post..ECONOMIC "MELTDOWN"
I’m believing in using divine guidance in our businesses more and more. You are right to point out that it is silly not to access spiritual power when it is available to us. We can achieve much more if we are walking in alignment with our Higher Purpose.
It has to take me years to find this out since formal education has only taught me how to use my left brain and analytical skills to make life decisions. I realize now that I have missed out entirely on using my intuitive abilities previously. I would like to open myself to receiving more spirit guidance from now, in whatever I do.
Tom,
I’m so glad I attended the call, even though it was bedtime for me! 🙂 You have a unique talent of being able to incorporate a holistic approach into creating a practical, successful business model. I’ve engaged Spirit rather actively in my personal life and my work life, but I’ve hardly done that seriously for a business – yet. Interesting triggers you’ve given me there … thanks!
Irene | Light Beckonss last blog post..Epiphanies From Freaking Out
I truly believe the idea for my business was a gift from God. It came at a time when my other job was falling apart and the idea was a perfect fit for me. Now I also bleive that when God opens a door, it doesn’t mean that there will be no troubles. Why would God prevent all the bumps in our road? It’s through those bumps that we not only learn more about ourselves but we devleop our repationship with him and learn more about who he is.
To be honest, my company’s name is Trinity Science Solutions LLC. I named it this because I am a Christian and it was my way oh honoring God for his gift of the idea for the business.
Tom,
After reading this post, I was reminded of something that Rick Warren wrote in “The Purpose Driven Life”. He said that on Judgment Day, God will ask you,”What did you do with what I gave you?”
Now, whether you believe in a “Judgment Day” or not is really irrelevant, the point is that God provided each one of us with skills, talents, and abilities. It is up to us to look at what He gave us and apply these in our lives, hopefully in His service.
And when I say “His service”, I mean it in the broad sense – engaging ourselves in activities which place us on the path of love.
Mark McCullaghs last blog post..Making Money Online In The Internet Marketing Gold Rush
Hi Tom. Greate topic. I see each point in the four realms of power as part of a circle. An idea originates in spirit, proceeds to the mental aspect, then is put into the physical. Any emotional stuff that comes up, whether good-feeling or turbulent, can then be turned over to spirit.
It’s all working perfectly and in Divine order, In this holographic Universe: it’s all already done and all we have to do is flow with our hearts. I don’t know if it’s predetermined as much as it is always expanding into new places and we get to be on the leading edge…loving, laughing and choosing how we see things.
When you take that understanding, we get to laugh and flow downstream or feel the turbulence of not going with the flow and then choose again to go with the flow. No judgement, just stuff to choose.
You are right, our hearts are the GPS for living being in the flow.
Very strong of you to speak this and outright begin to bring Heaven to Earth, where we can all enjoy it.
I enjoy my moment-by-moment renewal to my connection with the Divine. It leads me to rest, to move, to laugh, to be pissed off, to kindly and clearly speak my truth, as you did here. Bravo.
If anyone else doesn’t see it this way, hooray! They are living their truth right now…and that is the best thing we can all do. Business Bless You! Peace with you on your journey…we may or may not be here when you come back, we might be off exploring more exciting things, but we love you none the less you wonderful unsubscribers! xxooxx
Whatever you call that animating force: ch’i, life force, prana, energy, Divine, God/dess, God, Allah, That Which Cannot Be Named, it is all the same, it is everywhere and it has no judgement…and No Fear, of anything. None at all.
Love you!
Fawn
Hmmm. This is a powerful and thought-provoking article that brings me to the place of really considering what I do when I procrastinate. It’s not just me that I am dishonoring, is it?
Clem Gigliotti Jrs last blog post..Business to Business
Harmony that’s a delightful description of the glorious connection that we feel. It touched my heart so I paused in silence in honor of you comment.
Evelyn it’s very clear by your writing and your intentions that you are indeed open to receiving greater guidance.
Laurie Divine timing is glorious to behold!
Irene thank you for the testimonial. I believe that a holistic approach to business coaching is the wisest way to guide a client in business discovery, launch and building.
Clare Good point I’m happy to see you using all four. I like the idea of a circle and I but I’d change the order and place emotional in there before physical so we can supercharge our intentions with emboldened feelings. Of course if any negative emotions come up then it’s best to deal with them as they arise.
Mark I appreciate your support and your careful use of language not to offend. I’ve found that the religion or spirituality of my clients really doesn’t matter as long as they are willing to tap all of their strengths. I think there is enough judgment around this issue and all it does is expend needless energy. The path of love sounds beautiful; I’m pleased your man enough to mention it.
This is a powerful concept Tom. I’ve noticed that since I’ve started blogging, I feel a greater sense of God’s presence. And specifically, when I am blogging. Or thinking about it. It’s still not easy for me to discuss openly, and I’m not sure why… It it is something I truly believe in, then I should be able to. This has struck a chord, and is making me really think about what really is God saying to me – and am I really listening.
Lances last blog post..Cheerful Wins!
My business idea is larger than life and it will take many baby steps to get it to where I want it to be. I know my dream business will be able to help millions of people practice the art of life balance. I’m just taking it one day at a time, remaining focused, and letting the rest unfold.
Stacey / CreateaBalances last blog post..Bingo! Embracing Money
Fawn Bravo to you for speaking your truth so confidently and clearly. We are truly blessed by our connection to the fearless Divine.
Clem if that’s what it means to you then I’d take it as so. Follow your hunches man – they’ll lead to greater flow and dough.
Lance that’s a wonderful admission. I’ve been blogging for a year and this is the first time I’ve mentioned Spirit directly. Guess what, before that I commented on the presence of a higher energy on other blogs. So look out man – you’ll speak more boldly soon.
Stacey that sounds like a very large blessing that you are in the midst of offering. May your baby steps continue to be taken with gusto and please come back and let us know when you launch.
Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised when an idea, from out of the blue, arrives inside my head. Is this a message from above? I feel that hard work and determination helps make our own luck, but a little help from the Big Man Upstairs can’t hurt either.
The two websites I’ve developed over the past year were both results from little ideas that grew into passions I cannot stop pursuing.
Excellent post, thanks.
peace,
mike
livelife365
Mike Fosters last blog post..Viva Avocado!
I grew up with a tradional church upbringing, then in my early adult years broke away, came back in my early thirties and then drifted away again in my late thirties. Currently I do not go to church or actively pratice anything in a Christian sense.
However, throughout the whole period, I have felt a connection with God or a higher spirit whenever I am going through a period of change in my life. I feel that lately choices and direction are coming from a spiritual base.
Leanne Magraith | Forever Changes last blog post..Positive Thinking vs Positive Focusing
Hi Tom. This was a “Delightful” article 🙂
Spirit is my business. Or should I say, allowing spirit is my business.
I have noticed this since I started blogging. I’m more connected to that creative source and have had many writing experiences where I cannot take full credit about about the message. I feel I am receiving it (the message) to pass it along.
I receive an idea and know something has to be said, but I never fully know what the full message is until I finish writing. I have never yet written an article to spec. They just flow out. In fact, when I do sit down and try to write to specs I have a terrible time.
Davinas last blog post..Stepping Out Of These Old Shoes
Hi Mike welcome. Absolutely our actions and qualities like determination take the seeds of our gifts and nurture them to completion. Congrats on first recognizing those little ideas and then for seizing the opportunities and making something of them.
Hi Davina. Allowing in the flow can be quite the challenge. I admire you for recognizing Spirit’s presence and getting out of the way. Do you also allow the editing of your posts this way or do you just put them out there as they came to you?
Hi Leanne welcome. Although the time points are different your experience matches my own. I love what you said about a spiritual base. We all have that solid foundation to help us in good times and challenging ones. I love having my “Buddy God” to consult with frequently. For me it’s like an ever present, loving, Divine Intelligence that I can tap into as needed. I don’t always remember to check and in those times my lessons are greater. 🙂
Tom-
You are absolutely right about money being the number one road block when it comes to pursuing new business ideas and/or dreams. It was definitely one of my biggest concerns before our first coaching session. I believe we are blessed with every new idea that is sent to us, and that we should use our gifts to try out these ideas. You will know you are passionate about it when you will do whatever it takes to get the job done. We all were put on this earth for a reason and surely God did not put us here to be miserable. If we are miserable we should act on these “ideas” that we have because they were sent for a reason, perhaps to lead us to happiness?
Hi Tom!
I absolutely loved this call and got so much out of it.
This point resonated with me, as it seemed to resonate with all on the call.
I’ve always believed that “God gives us the desires of our heart”….and that means we are also given the talents and means to realize those dreams.
And if I was talking to someone else? If I was talking to ANYONE else, I’d be all, “You’re living a life of your own design! The universe will support you! YAY YOU!”…..and so on.
It’s when it comes to ‘me’…..I tend to sometimes forget all that stuff.
Thanks for the coaching call!
It was awesome and you rock!
All the best!
deb
debs last blog post..POD: picture of the day
Hi Tom,
I remember when we started our business, we put our faith in God. We weren’t licensed yet, but bid on a job. We said, “if we get this job, it’s God’s will, and if we don’t, it’s not”. We got the job, got licensed, and that was 16 years ago. It hasn’t always been easy, but HE has never been let down.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Blogging – Filling A Void In Our Lives
Kristy exactly my thoughts; we are her for a very good reason. What else could it possibly be other than to express our uniqueness?
Deb you were a delight to have on the call. I know what you mean about forgetting our own magnificence. That’s why it’s good to hang around folks who can validate it for us. Go Deb!
Barbara it’s hard to argue with faith and trust in a higher power. I’ve come to a place of enjoying the trust that all is well and the highest good for all is in the midst of happening.
ometimes I am pleasantly surprised when an idea, from out of the blue, arrives inside my head. Is this a message from above? I feel that hard work and determination helps make our own luck, but a little help from the Big Man Upstairs can’t hurt either.
The two websites I’ve developed over the past year were both results from little ideas that grew into passions I cannot stop pursuing.
Such a wonderful post
Thanks for this article
böcek ilaçlamas last blog post..Böcek ilaçlama zamanlar?
Hi Tom – I’ve definitely had many instincts I’ve ignored – to my detriment. The most recent one was starting the plumbing business I sank last year. I guess it was a good lesson to learn though. But I would have been financially better off if I’d taken a couple of years off and done nothing, or just worked on my novel.
Cath Lawsons last blog post..The Nutty Introvert And The Crimson Compass
I tend to think that money is much less of a factor with the internet. You can start something for as little as a few hundred dollars. What inspired us to start a business was the burning desire to spend more time with our kids.
Steves last blog post..Why Writing A Business Plan Is An Overrated Practice
Bocek – thank you and welcome to Delightful Work. I love pleasant surprises and that’s a great way to look at out of the blue ideas. Without expectations we can fully appreciate our many blessings.
Cath – yes lessons learned always make a challenging experience more worthwhile and I’m sure that as time passes more and more you will appreciate the lesson of not the consequences. I hope that you have quit ignoring those messages from within.
Steve – welcome and I have to agree. The Internet has made our business startups much less difficult. I love your inspiration and I’ll be visiting your blog soon.
Interesting post. While I think that divine inspiration is the only worthwhile source for business (or anything else), I am struck by the impression that you speak of God as external to yourself. Maybe that is not what you meant, but it is what I heard.
I am more inclined to view inspiration as coming from God within. I am not separate from God, which the externalization of God indicates. I am instead an expression of God, a form of God, and the more clearly I allow that to emerge into physical reality without distortion, the better things get.
Just my thoughts of the moment…
Hi Lexi – I must admit that I had to go back and read my own post to pick up on what caused your assumption. I can see how I may have caused you to believe that with talk of divine inspiration being sent from Spirit’s heart to ours. In fact my beliefs are strikingly similar to your own. I see each of us as individual manifestations of Divine Spirit. We are all one, so indeed that One Spirit flows through each of us. So God being omnipresent I guess I’ve always thought of God as being both in me and external to me.
I like what you say about clarity and distortion in the signal as well. That part is definitely up to our receptivity and intention.
For practical purposes I don’t think it matters where we thing God resides as long as we do believe that ideas, our desires and our talents are Divinely inspired.