As a freelancer, I understand the frustrations you probably go through when things get “stuck.” It could be a client that falls through, a payment that doesn't come or even an over-extended schedule.

Though we can’t avoid such occurrences altogether, it’s our attitude towards these situations that will make the primary difference. The great artist, poet, and writer Khalil Gibran wrote,

“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”

Truer words have never been spoken!

Spiritualizing your work does not mean going out in the woods to write or become a contortionist molding your body into complex yoga positions in order to create an otherworldly experience. No, spiritualizing your work means keeping a positive outlook and remaining neutral as much as possible.

Sure, if you happen to land a client who offers you a lucrative contract, it’s certainly something to smile about. Even so, the goal of spiritualizing your work is to help you reach a state where regardless of whether you are offered a lucrative contract or a deal falls through, you retain a state of equilibrium.

Life is constantly changing; nevertheless, you should not allow your happiness to fluctuate like a yo-yo solely dependent upon exterior experiences. Experiences are part of the game of life, you just have to learn to play it.

Here are five ways you can spiritualize your work and remain on the up-and-up no matter what happens:

1. Be thankful

Yep, that’s right. Be thankful that you are able to rise up in the morning! Being thankful will inspire you, and give you a sense of joy for the blessings of the present.

Take time to reflect on that for which you're grateful and watch how your world becomes brighter as you become calmer.

2. Happiness is not a destination

If you want to make yourself miserable, it’s not difficult. However, happiness is a practice. It's not something that we have to put off or save up for – it's a possibility that is always with us.

Think about it, you could wake up happy, then step in a puddle on your way to work and become unhappy. If you're not practicing happiness, it's easy to lose it as a state of being. But if you practice happiness, that puddle isn't enough to derail your radiant mood.

The saying “This too will pass” is a perfect expression to get you through difficult times and help you to remember that “happiness takes effort and it’s well worth it.”

3. Be of service

When searching for work or working with clients, think of yourself as “being of service” not “offering a service.” When you think of your actions as “being of service” you make better decisions and your work becomes spiritualized.

Your clients will feel your nobility and will either prove a golden link in your chain or naturally be replaced. The foremost thought in your mind should be of goodwill towards the other person/persons or establishment. Not only that, you will have more stoutheartedness, understanding, and solve your problems better.

You aren’t dismayed by difficulty and you aren’t apprehensive about turning away a client. You go where you can “be of service” in the most beneficial way for all concerned. You will find that clients respect your thoughtfulness.

In fact, you may find that they decide to work with you regardless of your price, if that’s been an issue, because sincerity, dedication, and candor are priceless!

4. Live in the now!

If you really think about it, now is all you have. The past, future, and present are all mysteriously intertwined into one moment. If you are waiting for your new clients or to cash-in in the future, you won’t attract them in the NOW!

However, this is not a hurried state of mind. Living in the now requires a state of calmness and patience, and it takes practice! Don’t worry about the future, just do your best now.

What’s more, you will free your mind from a lot of disorder and confusion. Fear of the future and unnecessary regrets about the past will have less power over you. You realize the past cannot be changed.

The best thing to do is to learn your lessons so that you don’t repeat the same mistakes. The future is “in some other place.” Yet, what you do now will determine your future. Therefore, living in the now will help you plan better and focus on what is “sine qua non.”

5. Accept Yourself

Accepting yourself is not about running around believing you are a separate entity with no link to the rest of humanity. Accepting yourself means that you are honest with yourself and can accept the wonderful things about your character, and can deal with those things that are not so appealing.

As you give the negative traits less power, you eventually realize that we all have our idiosyncratic traits. Did you know that the less you give attention to something, the less power it has over you?

If there is a bad habit you want to drop or a character flaw you want to change about yourself, give your attention to that which you want to be. We are all so unique and different, that you can take solace in the thought that there is only one of you in the whole world! Isn’t that wonderful?

What about affirmations

Affirmations are those expressions you repeat to yourself until they sink into your subconscious mind. Affirmations are a great way to spiritualize your work. It’s not really lying to yourself. You are simply trying to tap into the innate greatness that’s been buried under the conscious mind as negative thoughts, limitations, and outright fear.

You may have to repeat them many times, perhaps 100s of times until the subconscious “gets it.” Keep in mind, this goes for negative thoughts as well. If you constantly repeat to yourself “I can’t do it, I’ve always been a failure at business,” you can’t expect failure at your business! But once the positive affirmation takes root, there’s no stopping you.

Remember, the subconscious loves rhymes and rhythms and songs. If you’ve ever had an earworm, you get an idea of what happens when the subconscious gets hold of a tune you can’t get out of your head. Here are a few affirmations you can try:

“The clients that I look for are also looking for me. We meet and all is well.”

“I do wonderful work, for wonderful pay, in a wonderful way.”

“I am prosperous, and that is good. I radiate prosperity and goodwill to the world and it comes back to me tenfold.”

“I have the courage of a lion and no negative thought can defeat me. My work is of service and I am repaid handsomely for it.”

Don’t be shy about making up your own affirmations...Good Luck!

DebD is a full-time freelance writer for both private and corporate clients around the world. She writes in a variety of genres and loves taking on new writing challenges. For more information, go to her website at writingladybug.com.