The Five Elements in Business
by Jamie S. Walters

Most of the time, when we think of 'the elements' or specific Seasons, we think of things like whether it's raining or snowing, or whether it's Spring or Fall.

But the seasons, cycles, rhythms, paces, and wisdom of Nature is also evident in our own lives, livelihoods, and businesses. When we're aware of and connected to these, and cooperating with them, things seem to flow more gracefully and smoothly, and the results are far richer.

When we're not aware of or are ignoring the natural rhythms or stages, we often notice that in the quality or effects of our efforts or enterprises -- the timing is off, the flow is disrupted, the fuel disappears, or the results are disappointing.

In the Five Element theory, we use the metaphors of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Each of these symbolizes specific characteristics, traits, and lifecycle stages.

The element metaphors and the Natural System serves as a guide for whether the 'natural order of things' is in harmony and balance, or whether we've skipped a crucial step and are thus experiencing unnecessary challenges (or not finding creative answers to our challenges or questions).

For example, if we rush through the receptivity and vision stages of a project (Winter), and try to rush the early growth (Wood), the project 'burn rate' (Fire) may exceed available resources, or the project may actually reach its peak before the market or other 'element' forces are ready (Earth and Metal).

Or, if we do the vision and early growth stages really well, but don't have adequate inspiration or 'fuel' (Fire), we may not have the persistence or 'buy in' to take the project from that early growth stage (Wood) into solid reality (Earth).

There are many more metaphors of how the Five Elements show up in your own livelihood, enterprise, or project -- and the Five Elements can offer a creative way to inquire into and explore creative options for moving your project from conception through manifestation, while skillfully navigating the usual challenges along the way!

An Introduction to The Four Pillars and Five Elements

There are many ways to apply the Five Element theory and Natural Systems approach to your own endeavors, be it the 'project' of a healthy, joyful life and livelihood; or the life-cycle and most harmonious flow for a specific organizational project or entrepreneurial vision.

Please visit Ivy Sea Online for the complete introduction to The Four Pillars and Five Elements - http://www.ivysea.com/pages/intrap_0906_2.html

The Author

Jamie S. Walters is founder and chief vision & strategy officer at Ivy Sea, Inc., and publisher and editor-in-chief for Ivy Sea Online, recognized by Inc.com, Harvard Business School, The CEO Refresher and other business portals as one of the best sites on the internet for entrepreneurs, small-business owners and organizational leaders.

Visionary business, inspired leadership and personal-mastery concepts are shared at length in Big Vision, Small Business, by Jamie S. Walters, as well as in Ivy Sea's consulting and entrepreneurial-coaching services. Ivy Sea Online offers many resources, and Ivy Sea consultations offer personalized guidance in creating your vision-to-action program.

This article was originally featured at Ivy Sea Online and is reprinted with permission. Ivy Sea Online is an outstanding source of insightful and inspiring articles on leadership and communications - "visionary resources for conscious enterprise and inspired livelihood." (ed.)

Many more articles in Creative Leadership in The CEO Refresher Archives