Weathering Life's Storms: Building a Solid Foundation for Personal and Professional Success

Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges our way. Whether it's a natural disaster like the recent Hurricane Beryl that hit Houston or personal trials that shake us to our core, we all face storms that test our resilience and resolve. As I reflect on recent events in my city and my own journey, I'm struck by how crucial it is to build a solid foundation – both in our personal lives and in business – to weather these inevitable storms.

For the past three and a half years, I've been on a mission to integrate metaphysics, consciousness, and awareness into the world of business. It's been a journey of growth, challenges, and profound realizations that I'd like to share with you today. My hope is that by opening up about my experiences, I can offer insights that will help you build the infrastructure needed to not just survive life's storms, but to thrive in spite of them.

The Importance of a Solid Foundation

Let's start with the recent events in Houston. As I write this, it's been a few weeks since Hurricane Beryl tore through our city. People are still without power and water. The recovery has been slow and challenging. While I don't want to delve into the politics of the situation, I can't help but see it as a metaphor for what happens in our personal and professional lives when we lack a solid foundation.

Just as a city needs robust infrastructure to withstand and quickly recover from natural disasters, we too need strong personal and organizational foundations to navigate life's challenges. Without this, we risk being knocked down by every storm that comes our way.

Think about it: when a city's infrastructure is weak, a storm can cause widespread damage that takes weeks, months, or even years to repair. The same is true in our lives and businesses. Without a strong foundation, a single setback can derail our progress and leave us struggling to recover.

But what exactly does a strong foundation look like in our personal and professional lives? It's more than just having a plan or a set of goals. It's about developing resilience, cultivating self-awareness, and aligning our actions with our deepest values and core purpose.

My Journey to Building a Stronger Foundation

My own path to understanding this wasn't straightforward. When I started my work three and a half years ago, I was focused on becoming a speaker. I wanted to share my message with the world. But the universe had other plans for me – a more scenic route, if you will.

I began with my “Sol Full Accelerator” program, working with women and entrepreneurs to help them see themselves in a more divine, higher light as they pursued their business dreams. This work went beyond traditional self-development, focusing on aligning with source, the universe, and one's true purpose.

During this time, I realized that many of us, myself included, had been approaching personal and professional development from a limited perspective. We were focusing on surface-level changes – setting goals, developing new habits, learning new skills – without addressing the deeper, spiritual aspects of our being.

The Sol Full Accelerator program was my first step in bridging this gap. We explored questions like: Who are you at your core? What is your soul's purpose? How can you align your business goals with your spiritual path? These weren't easy questions to answer, but the process of grappling with them led to profound transformations for many of my clients – and for me.

As I continued this work, I realized its potential to impact not just individuals, but entire industries and organizations. That's when I decided to pivot towards business consulting. With my background from Harvard Business School and the University of Texas McCombs School of Business, I had always wanted to be a businesswoman. But for years, I ran from this identity because I never saw myself fitting the mold of my peers.

It wasn't until I aligned with my higher purpose and saw myself as a "MetaBusiness woman" that things began to click. I landed my first client, FROG Design, and started doing wellness workshops and supporting their organization through a merger and acquisition.

This experience was eye-opening. I saw firsthand how bringing spiritual principles and practices into the business world could transform not just individual employees, but entire organizational cultures. We addressed issues of stress, burnout, and disconnection by introducing mindfulness practices, encouraging authentic communication, and helping team members reconnect with their sense of purpose.

But as my vision for a new age business consultancy grew – one that could challenge established firms like Bain, McKinsey, and Deloitte with a metaphysical approach – I realized I needed more intentional healing and personal development to hold this big dream.

Facing Personal Storms

Just as I was embarking on this new path, life threw several storms my way. I found myself dealing with multiple legal cases, family custody issues, real estate problems, and managing my mother's declining health as she was diagnosed with dementia. These challenges hit me all at once, and I quickly realized I didn't have the infrastructure or foundation to weather them effectively.

I was still thinking like a "regular" business person – focused on pushing through, wondering why I wasn't getting traction or seeing results. What I failed to understand at the time was that I needed to build the energetic capacity to hold space for all of these challenges simultaneously.

This period of my life was incredibly difficult. I felt overwhelmed, stretched thin, and often wondered if I was on the right path. There were days when I questioned everything – my business, my vision, even my own capabilities. But looking back, I see that this time was crucial for my growth. It forced me to confront my limitations and pushed me to develop new strengths.

Building Capacity Through Healing and Growth

It took time and intentional work, but I eventually put in the effort necessary to heal and grow. I became a yoga instructor, Tai Chi master, and focused on building my energetic capacity. This process of personal development and healing was crucial in laying the foundation for the next level of my journey as an international corporate speaker.

The practice of yoga, in particular, was transformative for me. It taught me the importance of balance – not just physical balance, but emotional and spiritual balance as well. Through yoga, I learned to be present in my body, to quiet my mind, and to connect with something greater than myself. These skills proved invaluable as I navigated the challenges in my personal and professional life.

Tai Chi further enhanced my understanding of energy and flow. It taught me how to move with grace and intention, even in the face of opposition. This practice became a metaphor for how I wanted to navigate the business world – with flexibility, awareness, and a deep sense of inner strength.

As I immersed myself in these practices, I began to notice changes not just in how I felt, but in how I approached challenges. I became more resilient, more adaptable, and more in tune with my intuition. I started to see challenges not as insurmountable obstacles, but as opportunities for growth and transformation.

Now, I can weather storms more effectively because I've done the inner work to build a strong foundation. This experience has taught me a valuable lesson that I want to share with you: As a leader, no matter where you are in your journey, you must always stay deeply connected to your core purpose. This is the foundation upon which you build everything else.

The Importance of Constant Self-Check

Building a strong foundation isn't a one-time event – it requires constant attention and care. We must continually check in with ourselves, our vision, and our values. These regular check-ins, whether daily or even minute-by-minute, help us stay grounded and prepared for whatever challenges may come our way.

I've developed a practice of daily self-reflection that has been incredibly powerful for me. Each morning, I take time to meditate, journal, and set my intentions for the day. I ask myself questions like: How am I feeling today? What do I need to focus on? How can I align my actions with my core values and purpose?

This practice helps me stay centered and focused, even when things get hectic. It allows me to catch potential issues before they become major problems, and to make course corrections as needed. I encourage you to develop your own self-check practice. It doesn't have to be elaborate – even a few minutes of mindful reflection each day can make a big difference.

Investing in Yourself

One of the most powerful ways to build and maintain a strong foundation is by investing in yourself. This means working with professional coaches, energy healers, and mentors who can help you grow and evolve. In today's world, there's no greater investment than the one you make in yourself.

While I'm involved in real estate and also manage a financial portfolio, I've come to realize that there's no asset more valuable than your own soul and the body that houses it. When you invest in yourself, you're building the wealth that truly matters – the kind that comes from within and manifests in all areas of your life.

This doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune on personal development programs or neglect your financial responsibilities. But it does mean prioritizing your growth and well-being. This could involve taking courses to develop new skills, working with an energy healer and coach like me to address emotional issues, or simply carving out time each day for self-care and reflection.

Remember, when you invest in yourself, you're not just improving your own life – you're also enhancing your ability to serve others and make a positive impact in the world.

The Power of Energy Healing in Business

In my work, I focus on energy healing in the context of business. This approach allows me to see beyond the resume and into the soul of an individual or organization. By paying attention to this true essence of ourselves, we can begin to self-actualize and reach our highest potential.

Many people are skeptical when they first hear about energy healing in a business context. They wonder how something that sounds so "woo-woo" could possibly be relevant in the hard-nosed world of business. But I've found that this approach can be incredibly powerful.

Energy healing in business isn't about ignoring practical realities or abandoning traditional business practices. Instead, it's about bringing a new level of awareness and intention to everything we do. It's about recognizing that businesses are made up of people, and people are energetic beings. When we address the energetic aspects of an organization – things like company culture, employee well-being, and alignment with core values – we can create profound and lasting change.

For example, I once worked with a company that was struggling with high turnover and low morale. Traditional approaches like improving benefits or restructuring teams hadn't solved the problem. Through energy healing work, we were able to identify and address the root causes of the issues – a lack of trust between management and employees, misalignment between the company's stated values and its actual practices, and a pervasive feeling of disconnection among team members.

By addressing these energetic imbalances through targeted interventions – including leadership coaching, team-building exercises, and changes to company policies and practices – we were able to transform the organization's culture and dramatically improve both employee satisfaction and business performance.

Many of us are seeking something deeper – that soul-level fulfillment that goes beyond material success. This is where energy healing and metaphysical approaches to business can make a profound difference.

Finding the Right Support

If you're on this journey of self-discovery and growth, I encourage you to seek out mentors and coaches who are just a bit ahead of where you are. Look for someone you admire and trust, someone who can see your truth, empower you, and inspire you without shame or judgment.

I know from personal experience how challenging it can be to find the right support. For a long time, I yearned for a teacher or mentor but couldn't seem to find the right fit. But I encourage you to be patient. When the time is right, the perfect mentors will appear. Today, I'm blessed to work with incredible mentors like Max and Jasmine, who support me in ways I once only dreamed of.

Finding the right mentor or coach is a bit like dating – it requires patience, openness, and a willingness to try different approaches until you find what works for you. Don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't yield the results you're hoping for. Keep exploring, keep learning, and trust that the right support will come when you're ready for it.

The MetaBusiness World Approach

Through my journey, I've developed a unique approach to business consulting that I call the MetaBusiness Method. This approach combines energetic, physical, and metaphysical elements to help organizations build strong foundations and weather any storm.

Our MetaBusiness VIP Activation Day is designed to meet people and organizations where they are and take them to the next level. We offer workshops, retreats, virtual coaching, and speaking engagements tailored to each client's needs.

During these intensive sessions, we dive deep into the core of who you are as an individual or organization. We explore your vision, your values, and your unique gifts. We identify the energetic blocks that may be holding you back and develop strategies to overcome them. And we create a roadmap for integrating these insights into your day-to-day operations.

We also provide MetaStrategy work, where we collaborate with senior leaders and teams over several months to craft a compelling vision and align their values with that vision. This process gives organizations a roadmap and guardrails to stay on track, even when challenges arise.

This long-term approach allows for deep, sustainable change. We work with organizations to not just develop a strategy, but to embody it – to make it a living, breathing part of their culture. This involves ongoing coaching, regular check-ins, and a willingness to adapt and evolve as new insights emerge.

The Power of Inspirational Speaking

Finally, a core part of my work is inspirational speaking. By sharing my story and insights, with my metaphysical gifts I’m able to awaken and energize individuals and organizations. My goal is to help people see that work environments can be pleasurable, that we can wake up excited to collaborate with our colleagues and create meaningful change in the world.

In today's environment, where many feel disconnected, burnt out, or uninspired in their work, this kind of awakening energy is more important than ever. It's time for a change in how we approach leadership and organizational culture.

When I speak, I don't just share information – I strive to create an experience. I want people to leave not just with new ideas, but with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. I share personal stories, lead interactive exercises, and create space for deep reflection and meaningful dialogue.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this work is seeing the light bulb moments – those instances when someone suddenly sees themselves or their work in a new way. It's in these moments that real transformation begins.

Building Your Own Strong Foundation

As we wrap up, I want to encourage you to reflect on your own life and work. What are you doing to build up your infrastructure, whether in your personal life, your business, or your organization? How are you cultivating a solid foundation so that your work and purpose can be fulfilled with joy, playfulness, and pleasure?

Remember, it's okay to slow down, stop if you need to, or even take a few steps back. The goal is to rebuild and refine who you are and where you're going, creating a foundation strong enough to withstand any storm.

Here are some questions to consider as you embark on this journey:

1. What are your core values? How well do your current actions and decisions align with these values?

2. What is your vision for your life or your organization? Is it big enough to inspire you, yet specific enough to guide your actions?

3. How are you investing in your own growth and development? Are there areas where you need additional support or resources?

4. How well do you handle stress and challenges? What practices or tools could help you become more resilient?

5. How connected do you feel to your purpose? Are there ways you could align your work more closely with what truly matters to you?

Take some time to reflect on these questions. Journal about them, discuss them with trusted friends or colleagues, or meditate on them. The insights you gain can be powerful catalysts for change and growth.

Invitation to Connect

If this message resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. What challenges are you facing? How are you working to strengthen your foundation? Share your thoughts in the comments, or reach out to me directly.

Your experiences and insights are valuable not just for your own growth, but for our collective evolution. By sharing our stories and supporting each other, we can create a ripple effect of positive change in the world. Remember, this is your time to shine. To be your best, do your best, and bring your best to the world.

In closing, I want to emphasize that building a strong foundation is not a destination, but a journey. It's a continuous process of growth, learning, and refinement. There will be setbacks and challenges along the way – that's a natural part of the process. But with each challenge you face and overcome, your foundation becomes stronger and more resilient.

As you move forward on this path, be gentle with yourself. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small it may seem. And remember that you're not alone on this journey. There's a whole community of like-minded individuals out there, striving to create positive change in their lives and in the world.

Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect on these ideas. I hope they've sparked something within you – a new insight, a renewed sense of purpose, or perhaps a desire to dig deeper into your own journey of growth and transformation. Whatever your next step may be, trust that you have the wisdom and strength within you to take it. Here's to building strong foundations and weathering life's storms with grace and resilience.

And if you're ready to take the next step in your journey of personal and professional growth, I invite you to explore how we can work together. Whether through our MetaBusiness VIP Day, MetaStrategy Work, or speaking engagements, I'm here to support you in becoming your best self and bringing your best to the world.

Visit my website at www.erinpatten.com to learn more about our programs and how to apply. Let's build a stronger foundation together, one that will allow you to weather any storm and thrive in the face of life's challenges.

And if you’re interested in working with me now, book a MetaClarity call with me to get started!

Much Love + Light,

Erin Patten

Chief Enlightened Officer, The MetaBusiness World

www.erinpatten.com

@iamerinpatten - IG, FaceBook, YouTube