A Full Moon Inspired △ Business Planning Ritual
Here we are on the cusp of a new month, entering a new season. Seasonal shifts are a potent time to clarify, (re)align, and create a new rhythm.
Unfortunately, we live in a culture that rejects seasonal rhythms, flow and ease — and instead embraces the hustle, the grind — long hours and endless to do lists.
Early on in my business, I realized this approach didn't work for my body, at all.
Ultimately, it lead to chronic illness, burn-out, and exhaustion. What I found was that I had to be super conscious about where and when I devoted my energy. Essentially, I got really efficient. Those with little ones may be familiar with this scenario, limited energy equals limited time.
Through this experience, I walked away with some key tools and insights I’d love to share with you. These were gathered from my own experimentation, work with clients, and inspired by many authors along the way. (You’ll find a reading list below.) Because I like threes, I thought I would share three practices that you can experiment with in your own work.
If you're in a place of needing a seasonal reset, I invite you to create a planning ritual on this Full Moon.
Light a candle and take a moment to reflect on your business, your life, and your essential needs. Then get out your paper and pen, and vision into some commitments you'd like to make in this upcoming month. The practices below can guide the way!
3 practices to explore in your work…
Discernment.
What are your priorities and where are you devoting your energy? I found that committing to three actions per week that truly elevate your vision is a beautiful place to begin. Especially if you're the type to have a giant to do list and end your weeks feeling like a failure. (I've been there!)
So, really think about the key actions that have impact, not all the things you feel like you ‘should do’ or ways that you scatter your energy. Commit to only three and see what happens!
Align with your energy.
Bring awareness (or map out) the cycles of your energy throughout the month and throughout the day. I love using my menstrual cycle and the phases of the moon to understand my natural flow of energy. This allows me to align my energetic rhythm with what tasks I'm focusing on. This works on a monthly scale and a daily scale.
For example during the day, I do my creative work in the mornings and outward facing work (sessions, interviews, etc.) in the afternoons. (Kate Northrup's book, Do Less, is a great resource for this!)
Pleasure, play + nourishment.
This is so essential for having a sustainable business. Create a monthly list of your essential needs for pleasure, play + nourishment. This could be weekly baths, a monthly weekend adventure, a morning of solitude, etc. Weave this list into your days, weeks, and months. Also, block it out on your calendar! It's so easy to prioritize everything else if we aren't consciously creating the space.
So…if I were to add one more thought — though I'm particularly attached to threes — it would be boundaries. Protect your energy, say no, and let go of anything that's an energy leak.
That's it, my loves. Sending blessings and gratitude to you today!
xx Phoenix
A reading list for energy & time management.
Do Less by Kate Northrup
Atomic Habits by James Clear
High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard
Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt.