How Woo-Woo Are You?

Was the very first thought you had when you saw the title of this blog, “What’s woo-woo?”

Let me save you a Google search. Woo-woo is a fun term that describes people who believe in things that lack concrete proof. There’s a wide range of stuff that could put you at varying degrees on the woo-woo scale; New Age theories, yoga, healing crystals, mindfulness, energy healing, meditation, homeopathy, vision boards, essential oils, spiritual healing, breathing exercises… you get the idea. Some of this may seem totally normal to you while other pieces might feel a bit extreme. If you’re not into any of those things, you might be pulling right on the old woo-woo scale; while if you believe in all of them, you’re all the way to the left!

(FYI, a woo-woo is also a kind of alcoholic beverage, but that’s more “woo hoo!” than “woo woo.”)

While some people use the term in a derogatory way, others embrace it as a way to express their beliefs. Kind of like how the name “tree-hugger” might be used dismissively by big corporations, but others proudly use the title.

I personally give my full support to all the positive aspects of the woo-woo definition!

Being woo-woo is nothing to be ashamed of. After all, ‘there are more things in heaven and earth,’ as Hamlet said to Horatio. (That’s Shakespeare yo.)

How Woo-Woo Am I?

Before we talk about how woo-woo you are, what about me? Do I have any beliefs that lack scientific proof or rational? Absolutely I do.

I’ve always believed that putting positive energy into the world can manifest good things in your life. On the other hand, I also believe that energy can’t do it alone. I think of positive energy a little bit like WD-40; you use the good energy to grease the wheels so that they turn as smoothly and effortlessly as possible when you push the cart. Yes, good things can happen to you regardless, but I believe they’re infinitely more likely to happen when you’re contributing positive energy to your life and to the universe.

If I wanted to break down the logic behind my belief in positive energy, it could be because people respond to that kind of positivity. When you’re a positive person, you’re nice to be around, and that makes the people you meet want to be nice to you and to do good things to help you out. Basically, positive energy is a form of karma. In my experience, I know that if I’m working with someone who gushes with positive energy, I always want to do whatever I can to help them. That positive energy boosts the entire relationship. My partnership with Tarzan Kay is a perfect example of this. Her positivity always inspires the best in me and in everyone around her. It’s one of the reasons I love working with her!

The Woo Spectrum

Do you want to figure out your exact level of woo-woo? Then I want you to picture a scale, counting down 5 to 1 on the left and counting up 1 to 5 on the right with a nice neutral 0 right in between.

On the far left end of the scale at 5, we are talking full woo-woo. If it’s spiritual, you believe in it. The power of thought, crystal magic, auras, telekinesis, ghosts, manifestation, and other New Age theories that have no scientific evidence attached to them completely resonate with you.

On the other far right end of the scale at #5, we have people who don’t believe in anything supernatural, paranormal, or psychic. They’re skeptical, to say the least. Their world is very “normal,” and they have a hard time believing in anything that doesn’t have concrete proof. Everything needs to be quantifiable.

And right in the middle is a comfy zero. A neutral point. They don’t necessarily believe or disbelieve anything. They entertain some woo-woo thoughts and completely disregard others.  

How is this description resonating with you?

Now, you might call me woo-woo, but I think that living on the far right end of the scale sounds, well… a bit boring. I genuinely do believe that there are many mysteries out there in the universe and that science doesn’t hold all of the answers. In other words, I want to believe in a little bit of magic because it makes the world feel like a more alive and exciting place.

At the same time, some of the things on the far left of the scale are a little bit out there for me personally. I respect the people who believe in them, but they aren’t necessarily for me.

If you believe in things that are a little woo-woo, that’s great! If you are a complete rationalist, that’s great too. Personally, I’d rank myself slightly left of center at around a 2.5. What about you?

What Does Your Woo Level Mean?

Nothing much. It’s just a fun question really. Personally, I like to take a moment to check in with myself to see what new beliefs I might have and try to challenge them a bit. See things from a different perspective once in a while. But knowing where you sit on the woo-woo spectrum can help guide you in the way you make both life and business decisions.

It can also help you find your tribe; your community. Especially when you think about the kind of activities that would make sense for you to participate in and the kinds of people you should surround yourself with as friends, colleagues, and clients.

Your woo-woo-iness has no bearing on how good you’ll be in your profession or as a business owner. You can be full left on the spectrum and still keep perfect accounting records and have your business completely organized. But it can introduce you to some interesting and highly effective ways of doing things. Especially when it comes to self-care.

What about you? Do you have any beliefs that you hold without scientific evidence? I’d love to hear about them!