The other day, I stumbled upon a post on Facebook from a supposedly well-meaning business consultant. But from what I’ve seen they like to be polarising – which works often. Here is a screenshot for you to see for yourself:
The judging comment left me questioning several things. This consultant suggested that coaches and therapists looking to pivot or diversify (as I have been doing) into new areas should “stick to what they know”. They should avoid opening up into new venues when they are not ready for that.
I find it such a black-and-white perspective (don’t you?) — essentially telling people not to follow their heart, needs or navigate circumstances if it meant stepping outside their comfort zones.
Why I decided to write about it?
Because I have a big group of coaches, therapists and mentors in my audience, who might take the above statement as the only truth because it is expressed with such firmness.
Part 1: Understanding the journey to authentic business growth
I couldn’t disagree more with the above opinion. If you are feeling pulled to shift into something different, you have the right to do so. You might be really good even great in what you have been doing, but there are more factors than simply being “made” to do what you do. It is like personal relationships – you could be in love with your partner, yet it might be impossible to build a life together.
One possible reason to want to change could be searching for more meaningful and aligned with your soul’s calling. Or the need to care better for yourself or your family and have more space and freedom (not always possible when working 1:1). And these are not things to ignore. But the process doesn’t have to be an abrupt leap. It’s not about abandoning everything you’ve built or making hasty decisions. It is about creating a gradual transition that supports both your financial stability and your inner growth. It could be a new career or a new container – check this article for some ideas.
In this two-part series, I’ll share why gradual transitions are crucial to building a soul-aligned business. I will be talking about how you can begin with small, intentional steps towards your bigger dream. This first part focuses on understanding the journey and taking those initial steps.
Sophia’s journey: balancing creative direction with entrepreneurial dreams
I want you to meet Sophia. She is an art director at an online marketing agency, where she thrives creatively and enjoys a stable, well-paying role. But after years in the industry, Sophia feels increasingly unsatisfied. She’s passionate about empowering other creatives and helping them build communities that truly resonate with their values. What she really wants is to launch her own business. She thinks of consulting other creatives on building their own communities — or perhaps even creating her own community to empower creatives worldwide.
(Sophia is a composite character, drawn from several real clients I’ve worked with, as well as earlier — and if I’m honest, even present — versions of myself as I continue on my own growth journey. Her story represents challenges many of us face when pursuing soul-aligned work.)
The dream is almost clear, but Sophia feels stuck. Her current job provides the financial stability she needs, but it’s not fulfilling her deeper purpose. She has bills to pay, a family to care for, and the thought of diving headfirst into the unknown feels overwhelming. Like many of us, Sophia finds herself at a crossroads, unsure how to begin without risking everything she’s worked for.
Should she quit her stable job and plunge into her new business full-time, as some might suggest? Or is there a more intentional path? Maybe one that doesn’t require throwing caution to the wind but still allows her to create a life that feels more aligned with her soul?
I believe the answer lies in a gradual transition. Balance your current responsibilities with the desire to build something that aligns with your heart. But do it without burning out or sacrificing stability – this feels wise and responsible.
Why soul-aligned entrepreneurs thrive with gradual transitions
Starting a new business is an enormous step, and it takes time and resources — more than most people initially anticipate. That’s why I always encourage a gradual approach. When you build something from scratch, it needn’t happen overnight. Sophia doesn’t have to make an immediate choice to leave her full-time job; she can begin laying the groundwork for her new business whilst continuing in her current role.
Small actions, taken consistently, yield significant results over time. Sophia could begin by dedicating a few hours each week to her new business idea. Perhaps launching a blog or starting a modest social media presence to test her concept. With each step, she gains clarity on what she wants to offer, who her ideal clients are, and how to reach them. It’s about building momentum, slowly and surely, without the pressure of quitting her day job before she’s ready. It’s also about learning what running a business means, and developing the skills and mindset to do that.
A gradual transition doesn’t mean compromising on your dreams — it means being intentional and realistic about how much energy and time you can give. Remember: genuine success comes through consistency and focus, not by rushing into something that feels overwhelming.
The wheel of life: mapping your business transition priorities
Before we discuss some strategic next steps in your soul-aligned business journey, let’s first get clear on where you stand right now. To help with this, I recommend using the wheel of life — a powerful tool that helps you assess different areas of your life and determine which need more focus.
By examining your priorities and how you currently spend your time, you can gain clarity on the steps you need to take. For instance, Sophia could use the wheel of life to evaluate the balance between her current job, family commitments, and the new business she wants to build. Where’s the imbalance? Which areas need more attention?
You can get the wheel of life clarity tool here. There are several powerful journaling questions to help you gain insight into your own priorities. The self-reflection process will guide you on what to focus on as you start your journey toward a more aligned and fulfilling business.
Building momentum: how small consistent actions transform your business
Now, let’s go back to Sophia. After using the wheel of life to evaluate her priorities, she decides to start small. She commits to working on her new business for two hours each weekend. Her first task: creating content that resonates with the creative community she wants to serve. Over time, she begins to build momentum.
Sophia celebrates the small wins: her first published blog post, her first social media follower, and her first client consultation call. Each small victory signals progress. The more she invests in her passion, the more confident she becomes.
Gradually, she starts receiving feedback from real people. Her vision comes to life, and she now sees how to balance her current job with her dream business. The key is that it doesn’t happen overnight — but it does happen. Remember my favourite quote from one of the previous blogs?
“A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step” – Lao Tzu.
Overcoming mindset barriers on your entrepreneurial journey
Sophia’s inner critics might tell her, “You’re not ready,”, “This is not safe”, or “You are too old to make a change.” These are common barriers.
In part 2, we will explore the critical mind — those inner voices that doubt your abilities and tell you to stay in your comfort zone. I will show you how to shift that mindset and step into your power with tools and strategies to keep you moving forward. Plus, I’ll introduce some mindset work that will help you overcome fears. You will be able to start taking with confidence the gradual steps, necessary to create a successful, fulfilling soul-aligned business.
Stay tuned for the second part of this series, where we’ll tackle the mental hurdles that often prevent entrepreneurs from making their soul-aligned transitions!
Next steps: practical tools for your soul-aligned business transition
If you are ready to start gradually transitioning toward your dream business, download the wheel of life clarity tool and use it to assess your current priorities. Begin taking small actions today, and remember that building momentum takes time.
Get the Wheel of Life hereThis is what a participant in one of the Wheel of Life workshops I hosted shared, so – give it a try!
See you soon in Part 2!
