Two weeks ago, my team and I packed up our headquarters and made the big move to a new building. The whole process took about three days to complete and was entirely "Go, go, go!" momentum based. By the time we arrived, we were tired and still working on getting ourselves 100% up to speed, but we were excited to be there and explore our new surroundings.
In that first week I noticed a change occurring in the company. Team members were arriving earlier to work. They were making healthy lunches and everyone was stepping up their ensembles. The bigger space also allowed us to stretch out; something our former office no longer had the physical capacity to extend to us. Now, everyone had plenty of space to set everything up and work in peace together. All of these subtle, yet noticeable, changes confirmed what I knew to be true: by physically moving, our minds were undergoing a powerful mental transformation. While moving for a small business is often a decision rooted in practicality -- reaching a new market, lower costs, accommodating a growing team -- there are several benefits it can provide the mind that ultimately refresh how you do business.
Embracing the art of relocation therapy
Ken Torrino, along with "The Shift Doctors" Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D., defines relocation therapy as a chance to reset the mind. While it is popular to move when you are feeling restless or in need of a fresh start, moving also allows us to avoid falling into old patterns and familiar habits. Each day, entrepreneurs have to ask themselves if they are taking all of the approaches they can to grow their business. Maybe it's time to challenge your thought process and the way you perform -- and new beginnings are often key to creating an environment that aligns with your mission and purpose.
Putting the act of "one thing in, one thing out" into practice
In a NY Times article on the psychology of moving, packing is considered to be the most gut-wrenching aspect of the process. For a small business, packing includes professional inventory and personal items. If you're not quite ready to Feng Shui your entire work life, you may want to take the smaller steps of "one thing in, one thing out."
Space-clearing expert Stephanie Bennett Vogt recommends following the practice slowly and simply. Ask yourself what (with reason) you are ready to let go of. Address one thing or area at a time for one minute each day. Be aware of your breathing and the energy around you before, during, and after. By doing this, you are able to surround yourself with items that elevate your spirit and naturally move forward onto bigger, better ideas.
Change is good, especially for entrepreneurs
Moving is an emotional experience regardless of mileage. There are endless listicles devoted to its pitfalls, many of which are rooted in doubt and fear.
And I get it. I really do. Moving, and making any kind of significant change, when you're comfortable is terrifying. But entrepreneurs are born to take risks. They break new ground where nobody else has before, all in the name of achieving a goal for the greater good. They get through challenges with innovative thinking. Changes don't faze entrepreneurs -- they embrace them and progressively move onward and upward.
In the words of author Lemony Snicket, "If we wait until we're ready, we'll be waiting for the rest of our lives." Only you can ever fully know what's best for your business, but if you're ready to embrace the next chapter take a deep breath and dive into relocation. Invest in an office that shows the community what your brand is all about (or is in close proximity to a green space, which has been proven to lower stress levels), boosts employee morale, and builds up your company culture to embrace a future of dynamic success.