Again — we’re in another 3-week period where Planet Mercury is in retrograde. It’s a period when we can expect breakdowns in electronics and other things having to do with communications. But, according to Kari Samuels at numerologist.com, we should be using this period to our advantage, and here’s why.
When Mercury is moving forward at warp speed – 33 miles per second to be exact – so are we. We’re getting things done, not stopping to see the flaws or measuring the repercussions that could occur. In a sense, the breakdowns that happen when the speedy planet slows down force us to address what we may have been ignoring or overlooking for a while. To stay on the side of caution, here are some guidelines to making the best of the retrograde period.
DO NOT: Precautions to take
- Do not purchase electronics, automobiles, or any other large items.
- Back up computers BEFORE Mercury goes retro, not during.
- Hold off on starting new projects. Instead, spend time reviewing what you’ve already started.
- Avoid long trips, but if you can’t avoid them, at least make sure you plan them before Mercury goes retro.
- Do not sign any long-term contracts and if you must, be aware that you may have to go back and make adjustments later on.
- Be a better listener and be extra careful in your communications. Look inside to see if there’s something you’ve been wanting to deal with and do it, but avoid anything that could lead to arguments, and try not to get defensive when arguments happen.
Do: RE-visit your business and your brand
The retrograde period is all about RE words: realign, repairing, repeating, retreating, reviewing, revising, releasing, and so on. There are lots of things we can be doing in many areas of our lives such as RE-organizing our home, but as entrepreneurs, this is a great time to consider RE-visiting how we do business too. This includes RE-flecting and RE-viewing what’s working and what’s not serving you any longer.
When was the last time you took a good hard look at your branding? I don’t mean just your logo or your business card, but the overall package. I operate on the 3-year rule: every three years I RE-visit certain areas of my business. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if a RE-brand is in order for your business.
- Does my look need RE-freshing? If you created it when you first started out, it may need a facelift. Does it RE-present who you are today or is it stuck in what you used to stand for — before you knew what you know now?
- Does my messaging need RE-wording? Chances are you’re serving a different client base than when you started out. Maybe you need to hone your message to speak to a more targeted niche, rather using copy that is one-size-fits-all.
- Do I need to RE-define my Dream Client? You might notice that the clients you served early on aren’t with you any longer. Know this: the qualities you reflect are the same qualities you attract. If you’ve leveled up, so has your client base, which means the way you market needs to change.
- Does my pricing need RE-vising? You’re more seasoned now than when you first started out, so make sure pricing RE-flects the increasing value you provide.
- And, most important, do I need to RE-align my business with my soul’s purpose to bring more JOY and meaning to my life?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, take advantage of this slowing down period to RE-connect with your higher purpose and RE-lease what’s not serving you any longer.
A RE-brand can work wonders to RE-vigorate any business. Do it now, and you’ll be headed for success at warp speed — neck to neck with the fastest planet in the universe — once it starts moving forward again!