Dr. Sears, a renowned pediatrician with eight children of his own, many grandchildren, multiple books and over 40 years of experience as a doctor, writes about the effects of crying on newborns:

“Research has shown that infants who are routinely separated from parents in a stressful way have abnormally high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as lower growth hormone levels. These imbalances inhibit the development of nerve tissue in the brain, suppress growth, and depress the immune system.” (link)

Did you get that?

Excessive crying can literally inhibit a baby’s growth, and decrease immunity!

In addition, infants show Decreased Intellectual, Emotional, and Social Development, including ADHD, one of the very kinds of anxiety disorders Joumor was created to address.

In Joumor, it’s The Thing Itself and Something Else. Meaning, there’s usually a metaphor related to whatever the “Thing” is.

Babies have a certain amount of energy. If they spend it crying, they don’t grow, AND it can have long-lasting effects.

The same is true in our businesses and in our projects. We want them to grow and thrive- we don’t spend our time crying and focusing on what’s not working.

The best way to help babies literally grow is to feed them, let them rest, and give them love, all without judgment of how things are “supposed to be.” We do that by listening carefully- staying connected- to the needs they express, and meeting those needs.*

*(Of course, there are always exceptions- sometimes there IS something wrong/colicky that must be addressed, but we are speaking in general/everyday situations here).

Once again, the same is true in our businesses. If we listen carefully, what are people saying? They might be saying:

• They’d love to be able to do a course with you BUT they can’t afford it
• They wish you had private sessions BUT you don’t offer that
• They’d love to refer you BUT they don’t know what to say to people

When we listen openly and carefully to our current and prospective customers, we are in a better position to meet their needs. When we listen and provide “nourishment,” our business will naturally grow.

Most of us have intuitions and desires about our businesses or about projects we want to do, but we squash them or ignore them, and let them “cry,” which hurts them now and in the long run. Guess what? By listening without judgment, and simply taking care of ourselves, (nourishment, rest, and love) we position our ideas to thrive.

In all things personal, business, and with infants, LISTEN without judgment, and stay connected.

Set Yourself Up to Win by allowing adequate time to

Nourish.
Rest.
And Be Loved.

Crying will always happen, but when it’s met with capable loving arms, we will be carried into growth without even trying.

What are you doing, crying or growing? The choice is yours.