Earlier this year when the pandemic had just forced us all indoors and flipped our worlds upside down, I turned to yoga in hopes of finding an indoor workout that would also (fingers crossed) help relieve some of the stress I was feeling. 

To my surprise and delight the daily yoga practice produced sore muscles (the good kind), a stress release that I could literally feel about 15 minutes into a yoga flow, and ideas that would help me in my business! 

Somewhere around month two the teacher posed the question,

“Where are you working harder than you need to?”   

At that moment I was in a plank pose trying to be mindful of the straightness of my neck and my spine, attempting to lift my knees up (whatever the heck that means) and actively push away from the ground while keeping a slight bend in my elbows... and she was asking where I was working harder than I needed to?! 

Then she said… 

… relax your face, that’s not helping you hold this pose any better.  And she was right. 

… relax your shoulders, that’s not helping you hold this pose any better.  And she was right.

… take a deep breath and realize where in your body you are exerting energy that you don’t need to in order to achieve the desired outcome. 

Holy crap. 

I took this question “off the mat” and thought about it as I went about my daily tasks. 

It started out with me realizing where I was holding tension in my body..

then transitioned to me noticing the actual energy that I was feeling inside when I had a long to-do list, was running behind schedule, or doing something out of my comfort zone - feeling anxious and like I needed to hurry wasn’t actually helping me move faster or perform better. I could let go of that anxiety. 

Then I applied the question to my business. 

It helped me re-focus on my goals and put my efforts toward the things that would have the biggest impact.

Asking that question gave me clarity to see what is mine to do, what could (and should) be automated, what should be delegated, what could be put on hold until the future, and what I could let go of completely.

And now I want to ask you…

Where are you exerting energy in your food business - mentally or physically - that is not ACTUALLY helping you reach your goals? 

Where are you working harder than you need to? 

Share your answer in the comments below, or join us in The Profitable Food Business Community!

About the Author: Sarah Delevan is a Food Business Financial Consultant + Freelance CFO with over 7 years of working in the food industry. She received her MBA from Rollins College and In 2017 she founded Sarah Delevan Consulting based in Los Angeles, CA and serving clients across the United States. She is the creator of the Financial Success Formula and the founder of the Profitable Food Business program. To learn more about Sarah and opportunities to grow a more profitable food business Click Here.