Three Kinds of Business…

Unique Perspectives: Three Kinds of Business…

By Kim Stevens

This insight comes from Byron Katie, whose work is aptly titled "The Work" and whose words and method offer transformative life clarity. A friend—an Olympic athlete and one of the most grounded people I know—introduced me to Katie’s work, and I later revisited it during Life Coach training. Years ago, I even joined an in-person workshop with her at the Omega Institute, where her philosophy became unforgettable.

"The Work" is, simply put, a gem worth exploring. Yet one of the concepts that sticks with me the most is her idea of the Three Kinds of Business. Katie says, “I can find only three kinds of business in the universe: mine, yours, and God’s.” And she clarifies that “much of our stress comes from mentally living out of our own business.”

Here’s how it works: When my mind drifts to thoughts like “he really should be doing this,” or “she should be taking better care of herself,” I’ve slipped into their business, not mine. And when I start worrying about hurricanes, wildfires, or when I’ll die, I’m in God’s business. If I’m preoccupied with everyone else’s affairs, who’s here to live or take care of mine?

Social media only amplifies this tendency, inviting us to scroll through countless others' lives. So, while I use social media as a tool, I stay mindful not to get too wrapped up in it. Katie’s advice? Next time you're stressed, pause and consider: whose business are you in? Just that awareness is liberating. It’s funny, almost surprising, how often shifting focus back to my own business makes the world feel different.

Because here’s the real takeaway: living fully means spending as little time as possible in anyone’s business but my own.