6 minute read
YINpreneurs do things differently!
KAREN MCMILLAN
What is a YINpreneur™ you ask? Allow me to introduce you…
First, meet my younger self in late 2008. After a decade in corporate management and two years attaining International Coach Federation certification, I followed the crowd to search for my coaching “niche.” I searched for tools and coaches aligned with heart-centered, conscious, right-brain, and divine feminine business-building practices. I believed I was ready to build a life of creative freedom as a solopreneur.
Fast forward two years to a Winter Saturday in 2010, the afternoon of my annual “Awaken Your Success Goddess” virtual retreat. Back then we met by phone, meditating, journaling, and visioning together for 2-3 hours. During this retreat, the word “YINpreneur” came to me. I was not yet clear on the full meaning, yet the term spoke to me and aligned with my love of yoga, Buddhism, the Tao, feminine energy, ancient wisdom, and modern practice.
This comfort allowed me to overlook feelings of doubt. I knew that not everyone would relate, yet believed those who did would be my community. At a minimum, the term was unique, showed up well in SEO searches, and may be easy to trademark. I figured the rest would reveal itself over time and for sure it did.
The more I lived with this new concept, the more I realized it was less about “WHAT is a YINpreneur?” and more about “WHO is a YINpreneur?” More about the being than the doing.
I continued my sacred practices listening deeply to intuitive messages to align traditional, corporate marketing with this new YINpreneur feeling and perspective. Yet, each day I became more uncomfortable and less aligned with the patriarchal language, tools, tone, and intentions of the so-called “six-figure coaches.” Instead of propelling me forward, I was spending energy but making small or sporadic steps. The dream of an aligned entrepreneurial life was waning.
The rules and tools of the patriarchy did not feel right. The language was corporate vs creative, and the tools had hard edges. Really hard edges. I like soft edges, spirals, and a non-linear way of working - which I’ve come to know as the “way of the YINpreneur.”
Traditional vs YINpreneur Tools
It became apparent that the traditional tools were created for people who worked for and reported to others, not their higher self. They were about the end product, profit, and satisfying two masters (your boss and their market/audience). They were not working as well for solopreneurs with a service versus product business. The traditional, yang, patriarchal way of working appeared to omit the invaluable elements of visioning and values, mindfulness, and the sacred, divine feminine energy.
The tools felt masculine, hard-edged, and poorly named. Over the years, my YINpreneur (she) continued to guide me to reframe the patriarchal corporate tools, language, and way of working. We have been redesigning, enhancing, or recreating each to align with this more ancient, feminine, creative, non-linear, and artistic way of being and working.
The YINpreneur™ Ba Gua Planning guide is born
The inspiration for this article appeared to be the traditional Wheel of Life by Paul J. Meyer. Although valuable, this tool still felt like something was missing. I breathed and invited my YINpreneur in for a review. Checking in with somatic messages, I came to realize that neither the visual wheel, nor the language (of the categories chosen, and the instructions) brought positive energy to my practice.
With time, the ideas flowed. My Buddhist practice reminded me of the power of the number eight, and the Tibetan Wheel of Life, which invited ancient wisdom, sacred energy, karma, and the reminder that just looking at it can be a blessing. I allowed this thought to be with me each time I approached the reframing and redesign of this coaching tool. Inviting in even more ancient wisdom I leaned into Feng Shui, the iChing and Taoist energy practice. Thus, the YINpreneur Ba Gua Planning Guide was birthed.
The YINpreneur™ Visioning Ba Gua
Preparation: Engaging in this practice is a mini-retreat. I invite you to create an environment and use the tools that bring you joy and positive energy as you play. This may include candles, music, a favorite pen, or device, and a warm or cool beverage.
Design: The traditional tool is created as a B&W circle with 8-10 parts, like a pie which you fill in (rate) on a scale of 1-10 (Left). The YINpreneur Ba Gua is inspired by the spiritual power of 8, noting the eight categories of the Ba Gua blended with the power of Feng Shui colors and direction. I invite you to use your favorite pen or the colors noted within the Bagua area you are focused on.
Practice: Engage with this tool yearly, monthly, weekly, or on demand to reflect on your core values and how they are aligned with your desired life and goals. Reflect with art, joy, and neutral, non-judgment. This is not a test and reflects a moment in time. Play with it and create it in a way that, like the Tibetan Wheel of Life, makes you feel good to gaze at it. Knowing you have the clarity to create the life you desire with balance and joy. This tool can be enjoyed alone, with friends, during a retreat, and as prep to work with your coach or mentor.
Do you recognize yourself as the YINpreneur?
Wishing for a separate way of working now that you’ve left corporate? Curious to play with a YINpreneur Signature tool?
If yes, visit https://kdmcmillan.com/baguaintro/ to download a free YINpreneur Ba Gua template with guidance on how to use it.
For now, remember to breathe!
Karen McMillan, ACC | YINpreneur™
With passion for bringing together BIPOC artists, solopreneurs, light workers, and change-makers, Karen intuitively guides others to find and own their voice. Revealing their gifts so that they may share them forward in support of the world they wish to create.
As the founder and creator of YINpreneur Village™ and Virtual RetreatU™, Karen invites women to practice the way of the YINpreneur™ via wisdom journeys and experiences in safe, collaborative spaces.
