“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”                       

~ Charles Darwin

There’s a universal product cycle that applies to the life of everything. Whether it is a relationship, developing a business idea or human life; it all follows a similar pattern because it is all a product of the universe.

The more aware of this pattern and the more adaptable you are, the richer your life becomes.

Our outer world is a reflection of our inner world, and I don’t just mean in some ‘Law of Attraction’ kind of way. Scientists now believe that we can’t pack anymore neurons into our heads to make us more effective, so the internet has arisen to form a collective brain on the outside.

We’re constantly evolving outwards to become more connected and collaborative. Enlightened entrepreneurial leaders know this, and as a result create visions focussed on serving the world, to inspire themselves and others to succeed.

I’m in three minds about this!

Have you ever said to someone, “I am in two minds about this?” Well actually you have three minds and multiple encapsulated personalities.

Evolution cannot stop the production of something to upgrade the system; it transforms and incorporates the new product within the previous model.

We began our evolutionary journey in a state similar to monkeys; a very ego-centric, emotionally driven, competitive (C1) level.

Living in larger communities is beneficial; so evolution developed another brain function which is more sociocentric. It allowed us to conform to group norms, communicate ideas and control emotional impulses. At this second level (C2) we try to stick to the rules of the game.

The latest development is the enlightened brain which is universe-centric. At this level  (C3), the enlightened mind is more connected, collaborative and contributes to the whole. This allows us to transcend the lower levels of thinking, but being the new kid on the block, it is often cancelled out by the fearful reactions of our inner monkey.

Let’s examine the universal product cycle as it relates to developing new ideas for business.

Compete (C1) level.

When you create an idea for a new business, you have to pass through the C1 level. It’s a challenging time as you compete for a place in the universe.

It’s a very unpredictable and emotional time, much like the infatuation stage of a romance; there isn’t much you won’t do to get a kiss of success. It’s a fight for existence and you often ignore anything which contradicts your dream.

Control/Conform (C2) level.

If you survive C1 you pass on to C2 level, the controlling and conforming stage. The business has secured clients and it is beginning to create momentum. At this stage you focus on activities which support the status quo by controlling your resources and conforming to business norms. The challenge here is standing still in a world that is constantly moving.

Consolidation.

Success is often ego driven and is never satisfied for long. This means getting bigger, richer and usually fatter by doing what’s comfortable; we consolidate. At some point though, all businesses will arrive at a point of change (POC). This could be due to the radical innovation of technology, a change in business practice or some limit to growth has been reached.

If a business leader or entrepreneur is not skilled in enlightened thinking, fear will drive the business into the collapse stage.

Collapse.

Ego is only scared of two things: not getting what the ego wants and losing what it’s already got.

The collapse stage is a painful period often accompanied by denial, fear, frustration and blaming of others. Collapse stage continues until one of two things happen. The business disappears, often overnight. Or the business and its leader reaches a point of acceptance (POA) and attempts to regenerate.

The problem with the regeneration phase is that taking a ‘business as usual’ approach will lead to more of the same in the future. Lessons are repeated in life until they are learnt. Once a system has collapsed, patching it up still won’t allow it to go through the same limitations.

Connected/Collaborative/Contributing (C3) level.

In order to take humanity, the economy and the planet to the next level we will have to think not just differently, but in a transforming way.

Enlightened thinking is not some woolly idea pertaining only to New Age thinkers, monks and yoga teachers. It is an evolutionary survival tool. It will allow your business idea to evolve, serve a purpose and respond effectively and sustainably to change.

Everything that you’ve learned and experienced in your life is connected to what you can do now in a unique way, as an enlightened entrepreneurial leader.

Your personal economy is connected to every other planetary economy; birds, insects, animals and humans alike. Collaboration on a scale never seen before will require a high degree of connectivity in order to contribute toward the health, wealth and happiness of the whole planet.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself about your business idea:

Are you contributing something unique to solve a challenge or competing with others already out there in the market place?

Do you have a purpose which serves the world or specific group?

How can you collaborate even more with others?

Does your work inspire you and others when you tell your story?

(To be continued…)

[Photo 1: via Tumblr]

Stay tuned for my next article, The Seven Fears of Highly Successful People and how to overcome them.

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Editor: Andrea B.