8 signs you’re leading your business with an industrial mindset
Did you know there have actually been 4 Industrial Revolutions since the mid-1700’s?
(btw, you can listen to this email in audio form on the Regenerative Business podcast here)
The First Industrial Revolution: The Age of Mechanical Production
— Beginning around 1760
The “revolution” here was from the reliance on animals, human effort and biomass as primary sources of energy to the use of fossil fuels and mechanical power.
The Second Industrial Revolution: The Age of Science and Mass Production
— End of 19th century
The “revolution” here was in the form of electricity distribution, both wireless and wired communication, and the invention of the automobile and plane.
The Third Industrial Revolution: The Digital Revolution
— Beginning in 1950’s
The “revolution” here was the development of digital systems, communication and rapid advances in computing power. Think higher level automation.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Starting now!
The “revolution” happening now (which has already happened with the top 1%) is the advent of “cyber-physical systems.” These are entirely new ways in which technology becomes embedded within societies and even our human bodies. Yay?
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With waves and waves of technological advances over the last 260+ years, we’ve become obsessed with the New.
There is undoubtedly an obsessive, addictive element to it.
What a great distraction from what is really happening — our continual disconnection from Nature, dehumanization, and objectification.
As the UN pointed out in 2013, more people in the world have access to a mobile phone than basic sanitation. (New tech = More important than human life these days…)
Just to be clear - I am ALL FOR technology! My astrology chart is Mercury-dominant so you better believe that the internet and my cellphone is on my daily gratitude list 😅
But where we need to draw a line in the sand is:
Technology as a tool for human development, joy, and aliveness
[NOT]
Humans as the testing ground for technological advancement
Tech making life on earth (for humans, animals, plants, all of it) more beautiful and connected, and lets have it resolve the Climate Crises while we’re at it!!
[NOT]
Tech replacing life on earth through virtual worlds + us going to Mars.
This starts by YOU grounding yourself in the Natural world and building your business with the principles of Nature… and deconditioning from the Industrial Mindset.
So let’s start with checking if you are experiencing the painful symptoms of Industry over Nature.
Here are the 8 signs you’re leading your business with an industrial mindset:
1. You’re sole business measurements are financial
Don’t get me wrong - money is beautiful and it seriously matters in business. But to have it be your main measurement of business success + the main thing you celebrate in business is a big sign you’re stuck in an Industrial Mindset.
When we prioritize money above all else then we can do things that don’t truly align with our highest values. Because money gets the pedestal.
Other things to celebrate + measure include: Amount of people you serve, Amount of people you employ and families you support, Amount of free time you have, Your health, The health of your relationships, Charitable contributions (trees planted, micro loans given, pro bono work, scholarships gifted…), Your level of creativity, People reached, Lives changed…
A great start for this is thinking about the non-monetary mission of your business. Yes, make financial goals, but what larger WHY is behind the work you do in the world. Measure that.
2. You’ve lost your sense of aliveness
If you’re feeling grey about your business, you may be cut-off from your true nature and the biggest impact work you could be doing in the world.
3. You have a rigid schedule
The Industrial Mindset sees time linearly and neutrally. One hour is the same as the next. This isn’t true in Nature.
In Nature time is cyclical, seasonal, and interwoven with the rest of reality. In the regerative model you take into account personal and collective realities - your menstrual cycle, current astrology, the phase of the moon, the seasons, the season your business is in, your energy levels and those of your team…
4. Feeling the internal pressure to have everything done NOW
There’s a certain level of scarcity innate in the Industrial Mindset. It leads you to believe that if you don’t grab that opportunity NOW or hit your goal THIS YEAR then you’re fucked. It will never happen + you will become destitute.
In the regenerative model there is an honoring of the seasons of life and your business. You allow a seed to grow and flower with consistent care over time. And that flower creates hundreds more seeds that grow into hundreds of more flowers. It’s all about you continuing to prioritize the fertility of your soil, and observing what is needed over time.
5. Seeing others in your industry as competition
The Industrial Mindset will lead you to believe that you and your business are commodities. You are competing with other people in your industry, because you’re just another brand on the shelf.
In the regenerative model, you uncover your unique genius and the 1 in 7 billion way you contribute to society, through leaning into your gifts, interests, and genius. There is no competition + you actually thrive in collaboration.
6. You’re stressed all the time
Those tight shoulders and jaw are talking to you. You needing to be in control of everything is a symptom of an Industrial Mindset.
In a regenerative model you are building your business ecosystem to collaborate within. (Because when we try to control Nature we become disconnected from the source)
7. You’re following someone else’s blueprint + it feels… off.
When we follow someone else’s step by step “formula” for running your business we often run over our own intuitions, preferences, and personal needs.
And it could be “working” (in terms of your business making money) or it may not be — but it feels like wearing a bra that’s too small - trying to shove everything in - it’s uncomfortable and not cute.
8. Obsessing over what you get out of everything
A hallmark of an Industrial Mindset is an obsession with PRODUCTION and EFFICIENCY — specifically in the realm of units sold. You have to squeeze every hour for what it’s worth. Your time, your teams time, every interaction…
Happiness, fulfillment and abundance naturally flows from being of service and connecting in with the collective - both relationally and business-wise. Can you exactly measure what you “get out” of having tea with a friend? Or spending 6 months traveling? Or what may come out of following your intuition? No.
But treating your body and business like a machine or a factory will not lead to the Big Life you seek.
In the next episode I have a scheme to share with you. Get ready.
In your corner,
Sam
P.S.
The Regenerative Business Creation Lab opens November 13th!
The waitlist is open now + is the only way to get first access with 40% off. Click here to sign up if you aren’t already.
