Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Tricia Molloy, author of Divine Wisdom at Work: 10 Universal Principles for Enlightened Entrepreneurs.

Good day, Tricia, and thanks for agreeing to participate in our interview.

Norm:

Please tell our readers a little bit about your personal and professional background and what is meant by a New Thought business leader?

Tricia:

I started my own public relations and marketing firm in 1988, with a focus on supporting the success of small-business owners and entrepreneurs. I have always instinctively used universal principles to run my business—whether it was creating an affirmation to support a business goal or visualizing myself making a dynamic presentation to a prospective client or just trusting in the universe to provide what serves my highest good.  I also used these principles in my personal life to help me overcome obstacles—like infertility—or capitalize on opportunities.

A thought leader is a recognized expert in one’s field. As a New Thought business leader, I am an expert on how to use practical spirituality in the workplace. New Thought is about increasing your awareness of your power to manifest abundance of all kinds in your work and your life.

Norm:

Why did you feel compelled to write Divine Wisdom at Work: 10 Universal Principles for Enlightened Entrepreneurs? Why did you limit yourself to only 10 principles and how much revision did you do before publishing your book?

Tricia:

When I started sharing these principles with clients and colleagues who were curious, I recognized that these concepts didn’t come naturally to most people. But once they began using them, they got results, whether it was more business or a more peaceful workplace. I wanted to reach a larger audience with my message by speaking, conducting workshops, teaching business courses, coaching and consulting, so it made sense to write this book.

I originally had 12 principles but, as I began writing the chapters, I combined a couple of them. Once I identified the ten principles, the rest of the writing flowed effortlessly. My book is a mix of information, inspiration, anecdotes and exercises. I started with explaining the concepts and how I’ve used them and offering some simple ways to put them into practice. I incorporated information from spiritual and business authors that I admire so readers could learn from them as well. Then, I queried my network of business associates for stories to illustrate each principle. Finally, I searched for inspiring quotes. I purposely kept the book simple and short—less than 200 pages—because I found the books that had the most profound influence on me were the ones that got right to the point. To make sure readers understand the most important points of the principles, I conclude each chapter with a summary called Divine Aha’s!

Norm:

Why do you think this is an important book at this time?
What kind of research did you do to write this book?
 
Tricia:

So many people these days are searching for a deeper meaning in their life and what they do for a living. The three key points I wanted to make with this book are:

1) We all deserve, can have and should expect the best of everything, professionally and personally. For business, that means choosing to attract ideal clients and focusing on the kind of work that fulfills your life purpose.

2) Our success and happiness is dependent on our awareness to make conscious choices. Too often, we let life happen to us instead of setting intentions and helping to create our reality. The universe is a benevolent and conscious entity that wants to give us all we need to live a rich and rewarding life.

3) We are all born with Divine Wisdom. These principles help us access that inner guidance so we can make better decisions, solve problems easier, be more creative and strike that elusive balance between work and life.

My research came from being a life-long student of practical spirituality—sharing what I learned from other experts and what I knew to be true from my own experiences.

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

Tricia:

Writing a book takes much dedication and commitment. That’s why so many people who want to write a book never do. I always imagined I would be an author and when I pictured myself writing books, it was always by the seashore—which is such a sacred place for me. So, when I made the decision to write a book, my husband Rick and I set an intention to find a family vacation home by the beach. Within a few months, we bought our home in Gulf Shores, Ala., and that’s where I wrote Divine Wisdom at Work.

After I wrote my proposal, I sent it to a few agents and publishers but, since I was a first-time author and didn’t have an established “platform” to promote the book, no one was interested. My gut instinct told me to proceed on my own. So I established the publishing division of my company, Aha! House, and assembled my team of a graphic designer, editor, printer and website designer.

When I got stuck or discouraged, I would rely on these principles to get me back on track. I kept a Treasure Map on my office wall with a mock-up of my book cover and bookmark, notes of encouragement, and a list of the eleven intentions I set for writing this book. I wrote and posted an affirmation by my computer that read: I write Divine Wisdom at Work with grace, ease, joy and clarity of purpose. I pictured people reading my book and using this information to transform their businesses and their lives. Knowing that they were “waiting” to receive this book was a major motivation. After all, my Life Purpose Statement is: Through support and by example, I inspire others to follow their dreams and live joyfully on purpose.

Norm:

What has been the biggest reward in writing your book?

Tricia:

There have been so many, but certainly the responses I have received from readers who are inspired to use these principles to create a more meaningful, prosperous and joyful business. Their decision to do this has a ripple effect that goes way beyond them and deeply touches their families, employees, clients and communities. Every day, I connect with someone who shares my passion for promoting spirituality in the workplace and we look at ways we can support each other. I also like that I am a role model for my children, Connor and Allyson, who are now 12. They know they can do anything they desire and they are already using universal principles at school and as they interact with their friends.

Norm:

What are your hopes for this book?  Will there be any unique ways you'll be marketing your book that is different from how others authors market their books of a similar nature?

Tricia:

Now that I have a tangible product and have established my “platform” through my WEBSITE;   my speaking, workshops and coaching; and media publicity, I hope to attract a publisher which will allow me to reach a larger audience. I would also like to create a business curriculum around these principles to teach in business schools.

I am in the process of organizing a Divine Wisdom at Work Council. These are groups of enlightened entrepreneurs meeting on a regular basis to share ideas, discuss challenges and opportunities, celebrate successes, and support each other while putting these universal principles into practice. I expect that groups will naturally form on their own, based on the members’ business interests and meeting preferences. To allow everyone to participate in the discussions, it would be best to have no more than 12 committed people per group. My website will allow those interested to connect with different groups—eventually, throughout the world—and it will also be a forum for discussion. I am developing a downloadable Divine Wisdom at Work workbook that will help facilitate these meetings. I know we will be divinely guided ever step of the way.

I give out Divine Wisdom at Work bookmarks, which include all ten principles on one side and a place to write your business affirmation on the other. I also give out Divine Wisdom at Work door hangs, for people to use to help them stake out some quiet, sacred time during the workday. Those are very popular.

My intention from the start was that this book would be the first in a series of Divine Wisdom at Work books. The principles would remain the same but the anecdotes and exercises would relate to that particular reader. These upcoming books include one for corporate people/employees, parents, couples, teachers and teens—which I will co-write with my daughter.

Norm:

How have you used the Internet to boost your professional and writing career? If so, please elaborate.

Tricia:

My book’s   WEBSITE  is an online community of enlightened entrepreneurs where visitors can take a quiz to determine how much Divine Wisdom they are using now, read articles and Divine Insights from the book, share their questions and experiences about practicing these principles, connect with websites of expert resources featured in the book, form a local Divine Wisdom at Work  business group, and order books through PayPal and also through a link to Amazon. My home page includes a Latest News section, which features links to articles, blogs and audio. I will eventually have my own blog. The site links to my public relations and marketing business SITE.  Some of my resources are linking back to me from their websites, which helps increase traffic.

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Tricia:

I appreciate the opportunity to share this Divine journey with you and I hope my story and these principles will inspire others to live joyfully on purpose.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.