Last weekend my assistant extraordinaire/business manager/we’re still coming up with the appropriate title, Kathleen, joined Mike and I in our hometown of Portland, ME for a weekend of business visioning, clarifying, goal setting, deliverable defining, and some good old down and dirty logistical planning.

A critical aspect of my business and life philosophy is that if it’s not fun, it’s not worth doing. So often we associate increasing our income, expanding our business, and even being of service with hard work and sacrificing having a good time for productivity.

I want to share a few key choices we made for the energy and agenda of the weekend so you get an example of what it looks like to mix business AND pleasure. These are the most important aspects that I think made our weekend meeting successful:

My mom and Kathleen enjoying a latte from a local coffee shop.

Ingredients for a Fun, Productive, and Meaningful Meeting

1. Eat well, and locally if possible. As soon as we picked Kathleen up from the airport we went straight to Pai Miyake, one of Portland’s best restaurants featuring delectable Japanese food, most of which is grown or raised locally 20 minutes away at the Miyake farm. A well fed body makes us more grounded and more highly functioning. And investing your money in local, organic agriculture is good for the planet. Win-win.

2. Get lots of sleep. We knew we had a limited amount of time together to go over TONS of ideas, projects, logistics, plans, and visions. And we also knew that if you’re tired, it doesn’t matter how many hours you have to work – the work just isn’t as good. I didn’t set my alarm either morning of our retreat and my ability to stay present and actively engaged the whole weekend was a direct result of being well-rested. I’ve been to plenty an event where the leaders wear you down emotionally by making you stay up well past midnight and those who leave to take care of themselves are not only frowned upon, but are often chastised. The “no pain, no gain” and pushing your physical limits to the point of exhaustion model has no place in my company. How you do it is what you get. The more ease, joy, pleasure, fun, and well-restedness that goes into a project, the better the results will be.

Getting ready to board the amphibious Downeast Duck Tour on a break.

2. Take breaks often. We had luxurious meals all weekend and took breaks for coffee, for a birthday party, and for the Downeast Duck Tour. We laughed, we chilled out, we played with adorable babies, we learned a ton about Portland, and we nourished our bodies, minds, and spirits. As a result when we were working we were super engaged and great ideas flowed. When you take good breaks you can get more done in half the time it would take you if you powered through all the time.

The results of our branding mind-meld.

3. Mind-meld starting with the assumption that every idea is a good one. In an effort to come up with a tagline that accurately answers the question “what do I do” we got a HUGE white board and started throwing out every descriptor we could think of when it comes to my brand. We gave one another the freedom to just shout things out. In the beginning stages of mind-melding or brainstorming, assume that every idea is a good one. You might say something really silly. But the act of articulating something silly may lead you to the best idea you’ve ever had that you may not have ever had if you hadn’t said the silly thing first. When you’re in mind-meld mode let yourself say ridiculous things. Let your editor go on a coffee break. Says something cockamamie. Lubricate the brainstorming process with unconditional acceptance and you’ll be amazed with the gems that are revealed.

We took a break on Casco Bay and toured the Portland Harbor.

4. Get outside. A very wise friend of mine once reminded me that if you can’t see the sky there’s no way that you can see possibilities for yourself. So when laying plans for expansion and business development, be sure you get outside to see the sky. When we’re out in nature we remember that everything is connected and that life itself is a miracle. When the energy starts to stall at your meeting, open the door and take a walk around the block. Take your shoes off and put your bare feet on the grass. Go searching for seals in the harbor. You’ll be reminded of the majesty of the universe, you’ll think bigger and better, and you’ll have better ideas.

5. Bounce.  You can take this one literally like Kathleen did (on the ball to the left) or you can take it metaphorically. Good ideas do not come from stagnation. They come from movement. Get out your yoga ball and bounce. Stand up and do a few hip circles. At the very least, wiggle your toes. And remember to remain in the open, playful state of bouncing. You’ll be more agile in your thoughts and therefore open to new ideas that wouldn’t have been possible if you stayed still.

6. Don’t take yourself too seriously. I know I’ve said it here before, but it bears repeating:

Anything work taking seriously is worth making fun of. 

That goes for your business just as much as for anything else in life. Find ways to make your meeting more fun. Bring gifts for everyone. Have a playlist and dance breaks. Have everyone start by introducing themselves and telling their favorite joke. Play soccer with a yoga ball. Watch silly YouTube videos. Your business will grow more if you have fun while building it and if you don’t take yourself too darn seriously. Trust me. This really works.

Kathleen posing by the beginnings of our brand brainstorm.

8. Dive deeply into the “why” before you begin to iron out the “what” or the “how.” This one is probably the most important of all. On the first morning of the weekend when Kathleen asked me about the bigger vision of my business and brand I immediately tapped into the “why” of what I’m doing and started getting teary. I told her that what I truly want is to have kids and be a really present mom. (Anyone who’s heard me talk about this live knows that it usually brings me to tears. That’s how I know it’s real.) I also told her that I want to not only be an example for a new model of present parenting that comes from financial freedom instead of stress, but that I want to give people actual steps to get there. I told her that I see myself as part of a movement of people having the freedom to choose to come home to what really matters to them. As I muddled through my last tear-filled thoughts I turned to Mike and asked him if he was on the same page. He nodded and told us that he wouldn’t be here if he didn’t want those same things. We spent the weekend filling in the gaps in terms of what we’re going to create and how we’re going to deliver it. But if we hadn’t started with that deep dive into the truth of what we’re really up to, the WHY, the entire weekend would have been wasted. Don’t bother asking yourself “how” or “what” until you know “why.”

Next time you’re planning a meeting, consciously find places to bring the nurturing, to bring the heart, to bring some giggles, to bring in movement, to get out in nature, to have a hell of a good time, and to remember why. Your sense of purpose and your bottom line will thank you.

Got Svelte?

Foxy New Group starts 7/15

Join me and a group of very fabulous and foxy women (and a few great men) who are getting svelte for summer. Balance your blood sugar, get rid of your sugar and carb cravings, lose a few pounds, and enjoy improved energy, a more even, stable mood, happier hormonal health, better sleep, clearer skin, and more. Click here to find out more and register.

The Infinite Power of Time Off: How to Make it Work for You

June 19, 2012
8:00pm – 8:30pm EST

FREE Telegathering Join Dr. Christiane Northrup, leading authority on women’s health, and co-creators of Team Northrup, Kate Northrup and Penny Northrup Kirk for an intimate, 30-minute telegathering. Many people in North America choose to take their vacation during the summer months. But have you ever experienced coming home from time off and feeling completely exhausted, as though you need a vacation to recover from your vacation? Especially for those who run their own businesses or have a lot of responsibility at work, it’s becoming nearly impossible to take an actual break. Not only does your sanity depend on taking time off from activity, so does your physical health. This call will teach you how to plan your time off ahead so that you can get the maximum physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. You’ll also learn some strategies to use during your vacations (especially when taking them with family) to ensure that you return to your “real life” renewed and ready for action.Email us to reserve your space on this FREE call.

Wanderlust – June 21- 24, 2012, Bondville, Vermont

Join me at Wanderlust, where I’m a featured member of The Speakeasy Lecture Series.

The Speakeasy is Wanderlust Festival’s unique lecture series on subjects pertaining to the mindful life. With offerings from a wide range of presenters including prominent yoga teachers, wellness industry leaders, authors, musicians, and many others, the Speakeasy is just that — a casual experience where presenters can “speak easily”.

These are not stuffy lectures, but rather informal conversations that take place in an intimate lounge setting. Get comfy on the couch or cozy up on some cushy pillows, sip on some free tea and kombucha, and listen to some of the most fascinating people in the world of wellness talk about a wide range of topics including meditation, nutrition, technology, music, organics, spirituality, yoga, and more.

Since 2010, the Speakeasy Series has materialized into one of the most exciting parts of the Wanderlust festival. Click here to check out previous Speakeasy videos.

2012 Stratton Mountain Speakers:
Seane Corn
Elena Brower
Eli Pariser
Schuyler Grant
Kelly Morris
Gabrielle Roth
Gaura Vani
Irshad Manji
Jeff Krasno
Joel Salatin
Kate Northrup
Lama Marut
Majora Carter
Manoj Chalam
Marisa C. Weiss, M.D.
Meggan Watterson
Nick Ortner
Sean Hoess

Portland, Maine Camp Fire – Fire Starter Sessions Group

Kick-Off Fire: Wednesday, June 27th, Portland, ME

Come one, come all. We’re gonna get lit*. Together. Here in my new home town port city. This group will meet for 16, soul-powered sessions and explore, engage with, and implement Danielle LaPorte’s book, The Fire Starter Sessions.

This Camp Fire has three primary purposes:

1. to support the spectacular men and women of Portland, ME in lighting their lives afire in the best way possible

2. to create the perfect avenue for me to meet these spectacular men and women and expand my community her in my new hometown

3. to give me (and the others) accountability to read this book AND engage with the exercises in a full-out kind of way (I devoured it in a few days when I first got it and have yet to go back through and do the worksheets. I’m one of those people who doesn’t practice yoga unless I go to class, and I don’t do worksheets unless I told someone I would. If you’re like that too, come to the Camp Fire.)

Please email kathleen@katenorthrup.com to get yourself on the list. We’ll begin Wednesday, June 27th at 7pm in the upstairs space at Peloton Labs, 795 Congress St. Once we all gather round the proverbial fire we’ll discuss if we want to do every other week, once a month, etc.

*In case you’re not clear, we’re going to get metaphorically lit. I don’t smoke :)

Kate hits the Pacific Northwest!

Learn about true Freedom this Independence Day Weekend in Tacoma & Seattle!

July 3rd in Tacoma, WA

July 5th in Seattle, WA

Health and Freedom with Team Northrup
Discover the secrets of the health-wealth connection

Join me, Co-Creator of Team Northrup and USANA Health Sciences Gold Director, for a conversation about how she, and thousands of others, have created optimal health and financial freedom.

Join me and my Team Northrup Colleagues for an intimate discussion:

• Explore the relationship between the health of your body and the health of your bank account,
• Learn about a community on the cutting edge of health and wellness, championed this year by Dr. Mehmet Oz and for the past 16 years by Dr. Christiane Northrup, and
• Hear how thousands of smart people have created an additional income stream that helps them thrive from three people who’ve done it.

Don’t miss it!  Register here, and we’ll look forward to seeing you.  This event is FREE to guests, and $10 for Team Northrup associates.

More about me:

I’m a professional freedom seeker and creative entrepreneur, author of the forthcoming book Money: A Love Story (Hay House, Spring 2013), and daughter of New York Times bestselling author Dr. Christiane Northrup.

More about Team Northrup:

Team Northrup is a league of entrepreneurial men and women who are aligned with the work of holistic health pioneer and New York Times Bestselling author Dr. Christiane Northrup.  Team Northrup teaches holistic business skills to entrepreneurs and wellness advocates through conscious networking.  To learn more about Team Northrup, visit www.teamnorthrup.com.

July 3, 2012, Tacoma, WA

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, PT

Aflac
7030 Tacoma Mall Blvd #200
Tacoma, WA 98409

Click here to register!

July 5, 2012, Seattle, WA

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, PT*

1520 Eastlake Ave E
Seattle, WA 98102

Click here to register!

Summer Love Seattle Meet Up

Thursday, July 5th, Seattle, WA

If you live in Seattle, I want to hang! From 5:00 – 6:30pm, right before the Health and Freedom event above, I’ll be hanging in a nearby coffee shop called Voxx ( http://voxxseattle.com/) and would love to meet you. Plan to come by for an iced tea, a hug, and a chat. And of course, you’re more than welcome to saunter over to the Health and Freedom gathering mentioned above directly after.

Portland, OR, July 6-8, 2012

I’ll be joining the rest of Chris Guillebeau’s small army of unconventional people in the “other Portland” for a weekend of inspiration, community, out-of-the-boxness, and fun! Tickets for the event are sold out, but if you’re already registered, I can’t wait to meet you there! And if you didn’t get registered for this year, pop over and join the wait list for 2013.

Summer Love Vancouver Meet Up

Tuesday, August 21st, Vancouver, BC

My beautiful friend Danielle LaPorte and I are co-hosting a Summer Love Vancouver Meet Up on Tuesday, August 21st in Vancouver, BC. More details to follow, but for now, save the date! It will be a lovely, balmy summer evening time, most likely in Gastown.

Wanderlust – August 23 – 26, 2012, Whistler, BC, Canada

Join me at Wanderlust, where I’m a featured member of The Speakeasy Lecture Series.

The Speakeasy is Wanderlust Festival’s unique lecture series on subjects pertaining to the mindful life. With offerings from a wide range of presenters including prominent yoga teachers, wellness industry leaders, authors, musicians, and many others, the Speakeasy is just that — a casual experience where presenters can “speak easily”.

These are not stuffy lectures, but rather informal conversations that take place in an intimate lounge setting. Get comfy on the couch or cozy up on some cushy pillows, sip on some free tea and kombucha, and listen to some of the most fascinating people in the world of wellness talk about a wide range of topics including meditation, nutrition, technology, music, organics, spirituality, yoga, and more.

Since 2010, the Speakeasy Series has materialized into one of the most exciting parts of the Wanderlust festival. Click here to check out previous Speakeasy videos.

And a preview of coming attractions for the fall…

I Can Do It Ignite! - NYC

November 3-4, 2012: Javits Center ~ Special Events Hall 1D, New York City, NY

Join me at Hay House’s: I Can Do It Ignite! conference where I’ll be giving the Keynote, Money: A Love Story

The path to financial freedom is not what you think. Traditional financial advice misses the most important piece of the puzzle: love. Untangling your money woes has far more to do with your self worth than your net worth. I’m a financial freedom expert, having achieved financial freedom at the age of twenty-eight. II’ll teach you the crucial tools to living a life of financial abundance and joy that you won’t learn from your CPA, investment advisor, or financial planner.

I Can Do It Ignite! features 20 minute bursts of incredible wisdom from your favorite authors, speakers and visionaries.

Featuring cutting edge authors, speakers and documentary filmmakers in the mindful spirituality, health, holistic, and sustainability lifestyles movement. These trendsetting speakers will Ignite your passion with topics ranging from relationships, sexuality, finance, and personal transformation to mindfulness, youth empowerment, health and so much more!

Register today to reserve & occupy your seat and access that untapped energy & inspiration that exists in all of us! Is it time for you to be innovative with yourself & re-evaluate what you thought you knew?

Here was another smart, young woman who had packed up everything and was living out of her car traveling the country. Awesome!

I emailed her “Contact Us” form immediately not expecting a response (find out why in our episode below.) Much to my surprise, Molly called me immediately and…

…within 24 hours we were laying in the grass in Central Park musing on life, love, and what it means to be a young women with a world of possibilities in your late twenties.

I caught up with Molly this past June (yes, this is a semi-vintage Glimpse TV – note the long hair) at the World Domination Summit in Portland, OR. Molly told me all about the ups and downs of her road trip (which it turns out was her honeymoon!) and she filled me in on her very intriguing new product, Joy Juice.

Joy Juice is made up of 120 journal writing prompts to tune into yourself, get unstuck, and boost your confidence.

Sounds good to me! It will take you through an entire year of getting to know yourself better. Divine!

Tune in to find out how Molly went from wearing a suit and heals selling mini Cokes for $4.50 to business men to sleeping ON TOP of her car, among other inspirational vignettes and giggles.

More Molly:

Website: www.stratejoy.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Stratejoy

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Stratejoy

Get your hands on Joy Juice!

Exactly one year later a lot has happened for both Bindu and me. Neither of us are living in NYC anymore. Both of us are coming out the closet in different ways. Both of us are reinventing.

I was thrilled to be with Bindu again at the World Domination Summit put on by Chris Guillebeau in Portland, OR a week and a half ago. It was the perfect opportunity to hang out at the Portland Art Museum and get some updates on Bindu’s new look, how she had her basic goodness reflected back to her in group therapy, and some exciting projects that she’s cooking up that you won’t want to miss. (One of them has to do with something I’m completely obsessed with and can’t get enough of.)

Tune in to learn about Bindu’s inner secret thing that she’s now doing in public, to see the most interesting Glimpse TV background setting yet, to find out the subject of my number one stress dream, and to have a giggle with us, because, quite frankly, that’s what we do best.

(I decided to give you the uncut version as I think it’s far more entertaining.)

Enjoy and leave a comment!

More Bindu:

www.binduwiles.com

@binduwiles