Ane Axford is leading the Sensitive Revolution as the founder of sensitive + thriving. She teaches her model of Sensitive Leadership to people who are genetically highly sensitive and have a nervous system that picks up on information at a deeper level than most. She is changing the way we all use sensitivity through her weekly live show, online services and courses, and happening Facebook page. She is a licensed psychotherapist with a holistic and practical view on sensations. Check out https://www.sensitiveandthriving.com to find out more.
Name: Ane Axford
Occupation: Leading the Sensitive Revolution
Website: https://www.sensitiveandthriving.com
Twitter Handle: @AneAxford
1. What are three words that best describe you?
I AM MAGIC
I have recently been told that I am magic, which I have been considering because I didn’t really understand what magic meant, and then was reminded of this quote:
“Art is a deception that creates real emotions — a lie that creates a truth. And when you give yourself over to that deception, it becomes magic.”: Marco Tempest
And, I do give myself over to art. I create to discover my truth. So, I am magic.
2. Tell us why you’re awesome in two sentences or less?
I really want people to be who they are, and I help make that happen.
3. What are your three biggest indulgences?
- Baths: I take a lot of baths with Epsom salt, baking soda, and essential oils.
- Food: Everything I put in my body is as intentional as possible. This includes my supplements and other natural health solutions. I love herbs, essential oils, and all kinds of potions. Anything that helps me better work with the chemistry of my body.
- Jewelry/accessories: I love details in design so wearable accents get me going.
4. What’s currently your favorite…
Restaurant: Quintessence (East Village/NYC on 10th street)
Shopping Destination: Etsy.com
Hangout:My family’s ranch in New Mexico, The Circle A Ranch
City: New York City
Food: My Mom’s dried garden tomatoes
Cocktail: The Scruptastic: I created it and won a St. Germain bike for it! (I want to be the mascot for St. Germain): 1 part St. Germain Liquor, 2 parts J.K.s Scrumpy Hard Cider, 2 drops DoTerra lemon essential oil, 1 drop DoTerra basil essential oil (you can also use fresh lemon and basil).
Book/Author: The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
Song/Artist: Rest My Chemistry by Interpol
Website: In truth, Facebook.com…but I also really liked fortydaysofdating.com
Magazine: I love design magazines, but haven’t gotten one in a while. I randomly started getting Better Homes and Gardens in the mail (???) and I actually enjoy it!
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Indirect wanting. I have a really hard time when I can’t be direct about what I want or when others are not direct about what they want.
Even if wanting to want is what is wanted, I think that wanting can always be brought to the most direct and potent form in this moment. I think clarity is always possible, though it’s not so much about not having clarity, as not feeling okay to want. That peeves me. We DO all want and so if it’s not directly addressed, it becomes indirect and I don’t like managing that in others or myself. I want so much, and I want others so much. All of them. So, I don’t like being stifled or delayed. I guess I wish everyone knew how much they were wanted and that it’s okay to want so much direct connection, so that I could have more.
6. If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not) who would it be?
This is always a tough question. So many great names pop into my head, but I would say Carlos Castaneda. I would like to talk with him about his experiences with consciousness.
7. What does it mean to you to have a strong, engaging brand and how has having one helped you?
It means elegance. I love this quote from Manuscript Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho that I recently read (and LOVED!) :
“Elegance is achieved when, having discarded all superfluous things, we discover simplicity and concentration. The simpler the pose, the better; the more sober, the more beautiful.
“And what is simplicity? It is the coming together of the true values in life.
“Snow is pretty because it appears to be a flat plane.
“The desert is beautiful because it seems to consist of sand and rocks.
“However, when we look more closely at each of these things, we discover how profound and complete they are, and recognize their qualities.
“The simplest things in life are the most extraordinary. Let them reveal themselves.”
I think that understanding what you value is the recipe that makes you what you are, the elements and how they come together for you, allows one to better communicate values which are the why behind what they do. When these values, the why, are clearly communicated then those who resonate with that get what they are already wanting. It all looks simple on the outside, like snow, but really there is a unique combination of factors that lead to that simplicity.
It all points to one thing that is easy to take in. Not a lot to process or understand. I imagine it is mostly subconscious, natural. This has helped me in my own work to have more potent work with fewer people, that has a bigger impact. It lets me work in intense ways that are well-contained so that can ripple out to serve many…rather than focusing on the many and trying to get them on board. It’s the difference between being a lighthouse vs. a flashlight. I get to do what I love and naturally draw in those who already want to find their way to me.
8. What is your #1 tip for fellow women entrepreneurs?
Without getting into why this is, I think that we often start out in the business world feeling like the way we operate is counter to having a business and we have to wrestle ourselves into submission so that we can work hard and do what we need to do so that we can get what we want. It can feel all very indirect. My biggest tip would be to see that your business IS you as you are. As much as possible and as soon as possible, see that when your needs are directly met you are serving your business. I see a lot of new entrepreneurs (myself included) operate on the idea that if they give enough, eventually they will get what they need (financially and otherwise).
The truth is that no one will take care of you if you don’t take care of you first. Take risks that are big enough to be a stretch, but not so big that if it doesn’t work out you will be crushed. You can’t possible operate a sustainable business that way. Let it grow organically, just like you. Being an entrepreneur has been the most profound personal growth experience and spiritual practice for me. It makes me show up all the way, as I am, and not as I should be.
Things fail pretty quickly if that doesn’t happen. Instant feedback. So, have your big vision and dream, and then make sure that you are taking a measurable step here where you are now toward that…not trying to leap there in one jump. You certainly won’t make it if you do that, and even if you are able to cheat and make that leap with outside help…it won’t last. You won’t be equipped to be there and you will slide back to what you can handle anyway. Grow organically.
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