Many people ask me about getting into their own professional practice.  Whether your dreamjob is tarot consultant, dogwalker, astrologer, sculptor, life coach, caterer, massage therapist, events planner, or whatever, it helps to have some guidance.  Being a self-jobber (like me) is like having a job interview every day of your life.  I’ve decided to offer you a series of written resources (i.e. books) that I’ve found helpful on my journey as a self-employed visionary, helper, catalyser, etc. 

Today’s recommendation is The Medicine Woman’s Guide to Being in Business for Yourself by Carol Bridges.  Bridges’s premise is that all work can be like a shamanic practice — taking into account the well-being of ALL of life, not just our private practices.  Each chapter is based on a Major Arcana card from her Medicine Woman Tarot.  Every chapter builds on the previous one and ends with a helpful review/summary of what to integrate, what to do, and what success tool to acquire.  Examples:

From Chapter 5, “Peacemaker”. 

  • Five – Four walls plus you make a space you can rule.
  • Peacemaker – Make a space which is totally nourishing to yourself. Make all of the boundaries clear in a peaceful way.
  • Important Success Tool # 5 – Your private “office.”

From Chapter 9, “The Guide”.

  • Nine – Find nine others who preceded you on your path.
  • Guide – Choose one to listen to attentively.
  • Important Success Tool # 9 – Know when to be humble.

The activities are enjoyable AND they really work us to be honest, compassionate, discerning, and real.  Be ready to fill your notebook with insights and your calendar with deadlines to keep you on track.  You’ll cry a bit as you release outworn patterns of being and working and you’ll laugh a lot as you create work worth offering.  The Medicine Woman’s Guide to Being in Business for Yourself is a wholistic programme for your practice/business, no matter what it is.