Inner work matters — even in business

In the world of coaching and healing, success isn’t just about strategy or tactics. The inner work matters.

Just as coaches and healers help their own clients with inner work, many coaches and healers experience BIG shifts in their business when they prioritize their own inner work.

But what exactly does inner work mean and how can it impact your business growth? Let’s explore.

What does “inner work” mean?

At its core, inner work means the work you do internally – with your own thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and values – that impact your outer world.

Doing the inner work means examining and becoming aware of the layers of societal conditioning, past experiences, trauma, fear, and/or self-doubt to uncover who you truly are — and what it means to show up as your most authentic self in your business.

This process of becoming aware of and addressing your inner experiences can profoundly affect the outer actions you’re taking in your business.

For many, inner work includes activities like journaling, meditating, and/or working with a coach, healer, or therapist to better understand their limiting beliefs or hidden fears.

When you’re willing to do this work you’re able to make business decisions that feel more authentic, trust yourself more fully, and show up in your business with greater confidence and clarity.

The difference between inner work and outer work

When I say the “outer work”, I’m referring to the external actions you take in your business—things like marketing strategies, sales techniques, and content creation.

The inner work is all your thoughts, beliefs, and feelings behind those actions. Inner work can include working on things like visibility, confidence, and clarity of purpose.

Both are crucial to running a business, but inner work sets the foundation for the effectiveness of your outer work.

For example, if you’re struggling with imposter syndrome, you may avoid putting yourself out there, even if you know the right marketing strategies.

Inner work helps you address the root causes of these struggles, so that when you do engage in outer work, it feels aligned and empowered.

• Inner work is about mindset, clarity, and alignment.
• Outer work is about actions, strategies, and execution.

When your inner work is in place, your outer work becomes more effective because it’s driven by confidence, purpose, and authenticity.

The importance of inner work in your business

The way you get better at building a business is by getting stronger, more confident, and more courageous personally. 

The way you become more courageous and confident is by doing that inner work. So that you are willing to try new things, to put yourself out there, to share something… even if it flops.

This is where the real inner work comes into play:

• Having enough self-trust that you can handle whatever results come your way
• Being willing to take the risk to try something new, knowing you can always pivot 
• Being willing to hit publish, send, or “go live,” while detaching from the outcome
  

When you’ve done the inner work, the outer work becomes so much easier.

The key — and the often tricky part — is doing both at once.  

How long does it take to do the inner work?

There is no set timeline for inner work, as it’s an ongoing process that evolves alongside your business and life.

Some people may notice shifts after just a few weeks of focused inner reflection, while for others, it may take months or years. The key is to approach inner work as a lifelong journey rather than a one-time event.

Think of it like strengthening a muscle. The more you practice reflection, self-awareness, and alignment with your values, the easier it becomes.

You’ll start to notice subtle changes, like feeling more grounded during decision-making or less anxious during sales conversations.

Don’t neglect the inner work when running your business

Many people start a business thinking they need to nail all the specifics of the outer work. They want a website, a logo, and a social media following. 

They’re focused on the “how to” information and all the steps to start their business.

Then, they get into it and the inner stuff starts coming up:

• They created a website, but now they feel scared to hit publish.
• They have an Instagram account, but they are afraid to share.
• They know their ideal clients, but they expect to attract them through pure osmosis.

This is so common and happens to the best of us! And this is exactly why the inner work matters.

Practical ways to start your inner work journey

Getting started with inner work doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are three simple ways you can begin:

1. Reflect on your core values: What truly matters to you, not just in business, but in life? When your business is built around your core values, you’ll feel more fulfilled and aligned.
2. Journal about your fears: Writing down your fears or limiting beliefs can bring them to the surface and help you address them head-on.
3. Work with a coach, healer, or therapist: Sometimes, an outside perspective can help you see things you may miss on your own. Hiring a coach can guide you through the inner work process, offering support and accountability.

What are the results of doing the inner work?

Doing the inner work can make the BIGGEST difference in your business, because you change how you think and feel about yourself, which in turn changes your actions. When you take the time to examine your beliefs and values, you’ll notice a shift in how you show up in your business.

Here are just a few outcomes you can expect:

• Clarity: Inner work helps you gain clarity on your goals, your ideal clients, and what you truly want from your business.
• Confidence: When you’re aligned with your values and purpose, self-doubt fades, and you feel more confident in making decisions and taking action.
• Resilience: Business is full of ups and downs, but inner work strengthens your ability to bounce back from challenges with greater ease.
• Authenticity: The more you understand yourself, the easier it is to market and sell from a place of authenticity, which naturally attracts aligned clients.

The ripple effect of inner work in your business

Inner work doesn’t just benefit you personally—it creates a ripple effect that influences every aspect of your business.

One of my clients, after committing to consistent inner work, discovered that she had been undercharging for her services due to an underlying fear of not being “good enough” or “worthy” enough. After addressing this belief, she confidently raised her prices and immediately started attracting clients who valued her work at that new level.

Another client, skilled and experienced, struggled to put herself out there and get visible purely out of fear of judgment and rejection that stemmed from childhood experiences. Once we were able to bring those into awareness and address them, she was able to start healing and more confidently show up in her business.

How inner work leads to sustainable success

The most successful people aren’t necessarily the ones with the most aggressive sales tactics or the fanciest marketing strategies; they’re the ones who have done the inner work.

When you do the work to align your business with your true self, your actions come from a place of authenticity, and success follows naturally.

Doing the inner work not only strengthens your ability to lead your business with clarity and purpose but also ensures that you’re building something that truly reflects who you are.

Start your own inner work journey today

Inner work is the key to long-term, sustainable success in both life and business. If you haven’t yet prioritized it, now is the time.

By committing to yourself, you’ll not only feel more grounded and confident in your decisions, but you’ll also notice a shift in how you attract and serve clients.

Ready to dive into inner work? Start by reflecting on your values and examining the beliefs that may be holding you back. And if you need support on your journey, apply for a free consultation with me below.