Synopsis

If we look at our own lives and the people around us, it is not difficult to notice that most of us seem unhappy at our jobs and in our lives in general. We appear to experience a state of perennial dissatisfaction, which is like a background against which everything in our lives is taking place.

We spend a lot of energy trying to alleviate this condition, pursuing everything which we think would bring us lasting fulfillment. All these efforts have two things in common: we are either trying to acquire something that we are missing which we think will make us happy (e.g. education, a well-paying job, the next promotion, an intimate relationship, a family, children, own business, travel, etc) or trying to avoid something, which we think will bring us suffering (e.g. negative situations or people, isolation, poverty, disease, crime, injustice, misery, unpleasantries, etc).

The irony is that no matter what we do, the state of dissatisfaction never goes away for good, because in both cases our attention is directed outwards as we are trying to deal with the circumstances around us, thereby completely ignoring our inner well-being. As soon as we have acquired the thing that is supposed to make us happy, we enjoy it for a brief period and then our dissatisfaction returns, often stronger than before.

"The Business of Being" helps you get connected inward so that you can experience yourself and the world in a completely different way — a way in which there is no psychological suffering; a way where inner well-being, freedom and creativity are present and where they don’t depend on anyone else but on you. If the old way of experiencing things ever returns, you will know what to do to correct it.

We, as the authors, want this book to set you free from the pain and the silent suffering triggered by the ever-changing external circumstances and help you connect with yourself and the people around you. In the process you will find inner strength and balance. Even though we use a lot of real life-example from work life, the principles descried here are universal and apply to all areas of life, such as family, relationships, community involvement, etc.

Kim Bellisimo and Emil Ivanov bring together two unique points of view to the book: the logical left-brain and intuitive right-brain perspectives. To overcome their different viewpoints Kim and Emil had to learn to see the value of the other's way of thinking and to bring the two perspectives into a relationship and wholeness. As a result, the book is written to appeal to both logical and intuitive people bringing together the authors’ personal experience and knowledge for the benefit of their readers.

Sales arguments

• Size of Target Market: 85% of all employees are unhappy at work (Gallup).
• > 6000 combined followers and friends across FB, LinkedIn and IG.
• > 8 hrs of professional videos elucidating key aspects for the book.
• Kim's Platform: 2000 mailing list and existing clients.
• Emil's Platform: Host of TV Show "Beyond the Limitations" in four countries in Europe.

Similar titles

• The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle, New World Library, First Edition 1999 - Our book is similar because it too gives the readers an inner pathway to their essential nature as consciousness and increases the readers’ awareness of the their inner and outer reality. Our book is different because we don’t use any new age or spiritual metaphors, which might put off people with more skeptic minds. Our explanations, examples and metaphors are geared towards the rational people in business, science, or engineering.
• The Code of the Extraordinary Life, Vishen Lakhiani, Rodale Books (2016) - Our book is similar as it explains how the mind creates reality relying on a variety of beliefs and rules about the world, which are not necessarily true and must be consciously updated. Our book is different as it goes deeper in uncovering the essence of human nature. Consequently, our practical recommendations help the reader at the level of their inner Being without the need of applying any willpower.
• The Happy Mind, Kevin Horsley and Louis Fourie, TCK Publishing (2018) - Our book is similar as it points to the facts that (i) happiness can’t be found in external things such as money, big houses, cars, vacations, etc; (ii) happiness is not in the past or the future; and (iii) happiness is different from sense pleasures. Our book is different because it points directly to the source of happiness, which can only be found within us by applying the process of inner navigation, which we outline in detail.

Audience

This book is written for everyone who feels exhausted, paralysed, or afraid of the unknown in their life or their job and want to discover the tools to find fulfilment and inner well-being.