In the relentless pursuit of success, we often sacrifice the very foundation that sustains us: our well-being. While conventional wisdom pushes working harder for longer hours, Dominiece Clifton discovered a counterintuitive truth during her darkest moment — that true productivity and fulfillment begin with putting yourself first. Through her innovative "4% Formula," this business coach and wellness expert has transformed not only her own life but the approach of countless entrepreneurs who were caught in the burnout cycle.
"Oftentimes when we think about our wellness journeys, we think about it as the thing that I will get to if I have time," Clifton explains. "I've flipped that. I am my first priority. That then allows me to show up and have the capacity to be an entrepreneur, show up in my professional job, and to show up as a mom."
This philosophy — putting yourself first to better serve others and your goals — is more than aspirational thinking. For Clifton, it's a structured daily practice that transformed her life during one of her darkest periods, and has since become the cornerstone of her coaching methodology.
Finding Light in Darkness
In March 2020, as the world shut down due to COVID-19, Clifton faced a perfect storm of personal challenges. Unemployed after recently quitting her full-time role, her marriage on the rocks (she has since divorced), a failing business partnership in a natural hair salon affected by pandemic closures, and two young children at home — she was at one of her lowest points in life.
"I'm usually a control person, and I like to strategize and figure out how to get out of things," Clifton recalls. "And I was looking around like, I don't know how to get out of any of this. Like God, please throw me a lifeline."
That lifeline came during meditation, when she received what she describes as a divine download: a challenge to focus on her mind, body, and spirit every day for 90 days. This simple but profound guidance became the foundation of what is now her "4% Formula" — a structured approach to self-care that transformed not only her personal wellbeing but eventually her entire business philosophy.
The 4% Formula Explained
The name comes from the simple math of this practice. Dedicating just one hour per day to yourself represents merely 4% of your 24-hour day. Within this hour, Clifton recommends dividing your time across three essential dimensions:
1. Mind - 15 minutes: Engage in activities that feed your mind, such as reading, listening to podcasts, or having stimulating conversations.
2. Spirit - 15 minutes: Connect with your intuition and higher power through practices like meditation, journaling, prayer, or time in nature.
3. Body - 30 minutes: Move your body daily through walking, dancing, swimming, or any physical activity that brings you joy.
The power of this approach lies not just in its simplicity, but in its fundamental reframing of self-care from a luxury to a necessity — especially for professionals who are building businesses while balancing numerous responsibilities.
From Personal Practice to Business Philosophy
"I've been doing this practice for about five years for myself," Clifton shares, “and then last year I began to share it out." What began as Clifton's personal healing journey evolved into Move And Still, her B2B wellness business that offers trauma-informed solutions to organizations. She later expanded into business coaching through her Global Impact Network, where she teaches the "Wholepreneur Approach" — building sustainable businesses while sustaining oneself in the process.
"I finally feel like I’ve found a spot that merges all of my background and passions in the work that I do today," Clifton reflects. Her diverse background — from fashion merchandising at Macy's corporate to teaching English in China, grant writing for nonprofits, and her wellness journey — has converged into a unique coaching approach that helps entrepreneurs integrate all aspects of themselves into their business models.
Why the 4% Formula Works
Clifton's Wholepreneur Approach addresses the whole person, recognizing that we are multi-dimensional beings who need nourishment across multiple aspects of our existence, and it yields specific benefits in each dimension:
For your mind, daily mindset work literally changes your brain through neuroplasticity. "Entrepreneurship is really 90% mindset and who we are personally, and it's 10% strategy," Clifton explains. "The problem for most of us is that we focus so heavily on that 10%." By reshaping your thoughts daily, you build the mindset foundation necessary for professional success.
For your body, daily movement releases the stress that accumulates not only from business challenges but from life itself. "The body keeps the score," Clifton notes, referencing the groundbreaking book on trauma. Physical movement is the most effective way to release this stored stress, building both emotional capacity and strengthening your immune system.
For your spirit, regular connection to your inner wisdom provides clarity and purpose. "When you begin to slow down, you're now able to hear more clearly from your intuition," she says. This clarity becomes invaluable for entrepreneurs navigating complex decisions and maintaining alignment with their deepest values.
Building Your Own 4% Practice
Ready to implement the 4% Formula in your own life? Clifton suggests starting with what's manageable and remembering that these practices don't have to happen all at once.
"Wake up 15 minutes earlier, start with your spiritual practice," she advises. "As you're driving in the car instead of listening to music, put on a podcast. Go for a walk and listen to an audible book as opposed to scrolling social media. We can get very creative about finding pockets in our day to take care of ourselves."
The key is consistency. It's not about perfection — Clifton admits that some days she hits only two of her three targets — but about creating a sustainable rhythm that builds resilience over time. As you build this daily practice, you'll find yourself showing up differently, not just in your business, but in every area of your life.
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