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Issue link: https://dayspamagazine.epubxp.com/i/104329
YOUR WELLNESS SPA Risk-taking is one key characteristic of the Type E personality. "We're teaching people a way to know themselves better so they can learn business and spiritual strategies in a restorative setting," Saul explains. Following is an account of my observations at the Entrepreneur's Guide to Enlightenment workshop. Read on to determine whether you or someone you know could benefit from this unique approach to optimizing the type E personality. SELF-AWARENESS Type Es make for strong spa owners because of their passion for wellness and their creativity. The key to maximizing this personality in the spa is to play to its strength and downplay its weaknesses. Therefore, the class began with participants exploring what living an enlightened life means. For some it's about freedom; for others it's about meaningful work and for others it's all about relationships. Once we understand what enlightened living means for us, we can craft our business goals and pursuits around these values. When we obtain this congruency, life is in balance and opportunities seem to magically appear. Angela, a 30-something small business owner and type E personality from Miami, came to Giorgio's and Saul's seminar to learn how to better evaluate business opportunities, improve her communication skills and simply gain clarity about what she wants. "The course helped me get to the root of my roadblocks and gave me the tools to get around them. I wouldn't have gotten that from a business class at a community college," she said. "It's in the quiet moments that we do the real work and advance." E personalities like risk-taking, but it's still with trepidation that the group approached one of Miraval's signature challenge activities, Quantum Leap II. In pairs, they would climb a 35-ft. pole and make the decision of whether to jump. The exercise symbolizes letting go and embracing life's transitions. For each pair it meant overcoming mental and emotional fears, as well as working as a team—the same skills spa owners need to negotiate transition 44 DAYSPA | FEBRUARY 2013 points in their business and personal lives. "Quantum Leap made me realize that a lot of times I rush through situations to avoid pain and that, in doing so, I'm missing the opportunities that are within me and around me to grasp onto," observed Angela after the activity. Giorgio and Saul explain how type Es' strength lies in creating something new, but if they stick around too long and try to actually implement the project, they eventually grow restless and even depressed. "I've had several business ideas about which I'd get ramped up, but then I'd get bored and the infatuation would wither before it got traction," said one participant, an attorney from Philadelphia. "The class helped me understand what personality traits of mine will make me successful, and how to avoid those that can create potential pitfalls." A Type E is driven to create, and then delegate to a team to handle the nitty-gritty details. Imagine if mega-entrepreneur Richard Branson were mired in the minutiae of his companies! For spa owners this means understanding that your role is that of the visionary, so you must hire strong teams of people who can play different roles. ENERGY CHANNELING Because E people have a unique physiology wherein their internal stress response system operates at levels three to five times higher than normal, Miraval's exercise physiologist Andrew Wolf lectured to the group about the importance of exercise. In addition, Giorgio and Miraval's Dr. Jim Nicolai presented innovative ways for type Es to benefit from breathing and biofeedback methods. The Entrepreneur's Guide to Enlightenment virtual program is currently taking place online, and can be accessed at typee.com. The next program at Miraval is scheduled for April 14-19 (visit miravalresorts.com for more information).