The Guilt of Growing
Why the most 'productive' thing you can do might not feel productive at all
I heard something in our Sacred Writing Circle this week that really caught my attention.
One of our most accomplished entrepreneurs confessed something very real:
She feels guilty when she spends time on personal development.
"It feels selfish," she shared. "Like I should be doing something more productive."
I sat with that for a moment.
How many of us carry this weight?
This unspoken belief that working on ourselves is somehow less valuable than working in our business. This nagging voice that says meditation, reflection, and inner work are luxuries we'll earn "someday."
This constant pressure to prioritize the urgent over the important.
Here's the inconvenient truth: That voice? It's lying to you.
I've seen it so many times.
The entrepreneur generating six figures monthly but feeling empty inside.
The consultant crushing their revenue goals but disconnected from their purpose.
The leader everyone admires but who can barely look at themselves in the mirror.
I know because I've been there.
When I was running my consulting business, bringing in over $100K a month, I had what was once described by a client as the "Midas touch."
Everything I touched seemed to turn to gold.
But I was taking what I now recognize as the fragmented approach - trying to separate my inner growth from my outer success.
And my body was keeping score.
Autoimmune conditions. Burnout. A golf-ball sized tumor in my neck.
The universe has a way of getting our attention, doesn't it?
Here's what I've learned since then: The time you spend in self-development isn't a detour from your success - it's the foundation of it.
Think about it:
What could be more important than clarifying your vision for the next decade of your life?
What could be more productive than aligning your business with your deepest purpose?
What could be more practical than learning to access your own inner wisdom?
One of my mentors, Michael Singer, puts it this way:
"My formula for success was very simple: Do whatever is put in front of you with all your heart and soul without regard for personal results. Do the work as though it were given to you by the universe itself — because it was."
This isn't about choosing between success and self-development.
It's about recognizing that true success flows from deep self-knowledge.
It's about understanding that everything - and I mean everything - is connected.
So here's my invitation:
Stop apologizing for investing in your growth.
Stop feeling guilty about taking time to get clear.
Stop pushing aside the whispers of your soul in service of another to-do list.
Instead, ask yourself:
What if the "selfish" act of working on myself is actually the most generous thing I can do for my business?
What if my inner work is as crucial as my outer work?
What if my next level of success requires my next level of self-awareness?
Because here's what I know to be true: Your business can only grow as much as you do.
With love,
Phil
P.S. If you're ready to bridge the gap between your inner development and outer success, I invite you to explore our Sacred Growth Club.
What’s next?
Carolina and I are ready to support you in creating a business that aligns with your heart's calling. Here's how we can help:
Discover Your Sacred Business Alignment (Free): Take the Harmony Map Assessment and read our Sacred Business Manifesto to understand where you are on your path and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Perfect for entrepreneurs wanting to understand how everything in their business connects.
Read the Sacred Business Manifesto (Free): Learn the core principles of building a Sacred Business through our founding story and framework. See how we transformed our approach to business by understanding that everything is connected.
Sacred Business Network: Connect with heart-centered entrepreneurs who understand that success comes from alignment. Monthly connection circles, community workshops, and ongoing support through our private community space. Get the encouragement and collaboration you need to grow.
Join Our Next Implementation Challenges: Action-focused programs like the Sacred Business Planning Rituals Challenge and Substack Growth Challenge help you create real momentum in specific areas of your business. Free for Club members, discounted for Network members. Be sure you are subscribed to be notified when the next one is offered live.
Sacred Growth Club: A complete support system with weekly embodiment classes, live coaching calls, writing circles, and expert workshops. Designed for entrepreneurs ready to build sustainable success through proven practices while staying connected to their purpose. Includes full access to the Network and all challenges.
Be The Flow Coaching (1:1): Personal guidance combining strategic business planning with energy alignment work. Weekly coaching sessions plus full access to Sacred Growth Club benefits. Ideal for entrepreneurs seeking deep transformation and sustainable growth in their business.
It's a space where heart-centered entrepreneurs come together to grow their businesses while staying deeply connected to their purpose.
Powerful, so well expressed Phil. ✨
The best investments we make are in ourselves. If we don't put our oxygen masks on first we can't help others put theirs on.