Scott Oldfordfounder of The Oldford Company, is an advisor and investor with 15 years of experience helping entrepreneurs scale businesses.
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When it comes to navigating the entrepreneurial roller coaster, there are five levels of consciousness you should be aware of. Right now you are in one of them or possibly in between the two. Not being aware of this can lead you to make the wrong decisions at the wrong time.
I learned this the hard way. For years I would make some progress, grow and build momentum, only for it to fall apart and leave me feeling like I wasn’t making progress.
This frustration persisted until my now friend and co-worker first introduced me to the five levels of consciousness through which we travel. Since then I have found that these levels can be useful for all people, but they can be especially relevant for entrepreneurs and business owners because we are so focused on our vision, growth and progress. This is what I learned about the five levels of consciousness.
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The five levels of consciousness
These five levels of consciousness are primary, reactive, idiosyncratic, intellectual, and intuitive.
Consciously or not, you’ve probably evolved through at least a few of these levels over the years. It is part of growing and maturing. The levels can affect your business and life, not just your finances, but also the type of goals you set, the clients you work with, and the way you live your life.
Once you become aware of the levels and then take control, I’ve found it really feels like you’re in control. The decisions you make (and need to make) can become clearer. It’s a real game changer, and it’s something that has transformed my life over the last few years, not only has it allowed me to be a more free and a purposeful life, but moving forward with my businesses, which allows me to scale – and guide others to do the same.
Level 1: Primal
This first level is all about survival. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re not at this level. Here you struggle to build a vision or see what is right in front of you. You chase one new trend and another fad, hoping to find it something that relieves the pain you feel.
The problem is that this isn’t just about you. As an entrepreneur, you lead and serve others. If you attract people at this primary level of consciousness, you will likely have a hard time building loyalty, as those at this level fall in and out of love for you overnight.
Level 2: reactive
At this level of consciousness, you are beginning to appreciate your pain and problem better, although only just now. It’s still a level where shiny objects take center stage as you chase one solution after another. You are not committed to anything because you are not clear about what you want. You just feel pain and want to escape it, hoping that someone or something will give you the answers.
Level 3: Intentionally
As a general rule, I have found that you want nothing to do with those first two levels of consciousness. They are often full of people who victimize and swear. Even when you’re not there yourself, surrounding yourself with those who are there can drag you down.
Instead, it is essential to evolve to a wayward level of consciousness. Here you understand your pain better and have the motivation to overcome it. You literally shall let yourself grow, fight hard and be willing to do what it takes.
As an entrepreneur I have discovered that it is possible to make a lot of money by serving these people. Still, it’s almost impossible to make a lasting impact because they’re too focused on hard work rather than what they have to do. I think this is the level that many people are at in today’s cultural world, and it is one that most of us spend too much time in.
Level 4: Intellectual
To have a lasting impact—on your own life and those you serve– it is crucial to continue your evolution to the intellectual level. Here you not only appreciate your problem, but also understand the solution you need. As such, you may find it easier to outsource and delegate. You build strategies and processes. You know what to say yes to and when to say no.
In my experience, working with people at this level is where you can have the greatest impact. It is a level of loyalty, durability and scalability. If you stay here, you can live an incredible life. Yet there is another level that opens your potential more.
Level 5: Intuitive
At this last level, intuition takes over. You don’t feel the need to devise complex strategies or systematize your life. You work on what you are attracted to; you work with people you feel connected to. I spend much of my life at this level today, though I am still learning to navigate it. It’s not always easy to exist here because it’s hard to stay committed to your business and find the “right” people to work with.
Still, this is fine because none of this is binary.
It’s not about living only in intuitively, intellectually, or waywardly. You can navigate between them and work with different people in different ways. As long as you are aware and aware of this, you can step up to the level you need at any time. This is where the magic happens, and this is how you can both grow as a person and increase your company’s impact on the world.
To switch between levels, the best advice I can give is to get out of your “mundane” environment (my personal approach is to get out into nature – forest, beach, etc.) and take some time to reflect. think and keep a diary. This helps you to get the following clear.
1. What level you are on.
2. Whether it’s the level you need to be in.
3. What to do next.
Remember, it’s not that one level is best or that you only have to be in it once. It’s about being aware of where you are and dealing with it purposefully.
So take a step back right now and consider what level you are on, as well as what level those you serve are on. How does this make you feel? Is there where you want to be? What awaits you as you continue your evolution, both as a human being and as an entrepreneur?
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