Entrepreneurship As A Spiritual Practice
I had a conversation recently with a dear friend and colleague Susana Rinderle about the difference between entrepreneurship and freelancing. After our conversation, I went looking for more information about the difference and I’m so glad I did.
Seth Godin explained the difference in this video. This one sentence articulated the clarified an issue I’ve circled around for years:
“Freelancers get paid for their work. If you’re a freelance copywriter, you get paid when you work. Entrepreneurs use other people’s money to build a business bigger than themselves so that they can get paid when they sleep.”Seth Godin
Ding! Ding! Ding!
I’m a freelancer, not an entrepreneur. I get paid when clients book an appointment. I’m not trying to build a business to “scale” or sell. I’m building a business to serve – to offer my gifts to the world – in a way that also financially supports me and my family.
I can (and do) benefit from many of the tools entrepreneurs use to automate and streamline administrative tasks. Tools like Notion, Asana, QuickBooks, Text Expander, and Google Workspace free up time for the one-on-one and small group client work I love. A virtual assistant, accountant, and web designer round out my tiny little team.
Yet I’m still a freelancer, trading time for money.
Entrepreneurship and Freelancing as a Spiritual Practice
On occasion, clients ask why I’m not building courses to promote programs that will sell while I am asleep (like an entrepreneur). I have plenty of knowledge and skill that I can pass along, particularly around the integration of spiritual growth and personal development.
But here’s the thing – I like advising, coaching, and mentoring WAY more than teaching. I was able to articulate this more clearly having done a deep dive into my Sparketype®. Can I teach? Sure. Can I put out consistent content? Sure. Does it spark me – light me up – like coaching, intuitive readings, energy healing, and facilitating small group conversations? No.
Wondering why all this matters?
Because whether a freelancer, entrepreneur, a stay-at-home parent, or an employee, I believe our work is also our spiritual practice. All of us need to navigate uncertainty and change related to how we earn or receive resources. The spiritual and personal growth practices I’ve integrated into my life are what I lean on in times of uncertainty, change, and liminal space.
While building my business, I have come face to face with every one of my limiting beliefs and been “asked” to transform them in order to grow.
Beliefs about resources – how I get them, if I deserve them, navigating the anxiety when they aren’t as abundant as predicted, etc.
Beliefs about value – how I price my offerings in a way that honors my skill and experience and makes the work accessible to those that most need it but may not have the financial resources.
Beliefs about self-worth – how to balance business needs with my own health, sometimes limited stamina, and living a well-rounded, joyful life.
In this way, it is a spiritual practice. Navigating beliefs that no longer serve require spiritual growth and personal development practices. Heck, so does being an employee!
This seems to be the era of people are leaving the workplace to do their own thing. If you are one of these people, be clear about what bucket you’re in – freelancer or entrepreneur. Then gather and connect with your people. Use the personal development and spiritual growth tools that help you navigate uncertainty, anxiety, and downright fear.
Lean into faith, your intuition, and that which is larger than you of which you are a part. Then GO FOR IT!
And remember: it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Thanks for reading!
