What do super successful entrepreneurs and small business owners all have in common?
It’s not experience.
It’s not extraordinary skills.
It’s not even a powerful drive.
Although all of these things are important, they’re not a prerequisite for success. After all, no one is born with experience or skills, and plenty of successful people lack drive.
The one thing that does make a difference, though, is your “why.”
Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur or solopreneur?
Why do you give up your time and make sacrifices to be in business?
Why do you stay up too late and get up too early, just so you can work on growing your business?
The “why” is what ultimately drives us to success and happiness. Money is often the means to get to our why but is almost always not the true desire of your heart.
I used to struggle with discovering my “why”. Everything I came up with seemed selfish, not important, or too simple. As I sat in conferences, people would share their “why” and I would feel guilty like I needed to some up with something that would sound good to everyone else. You know, the people who want to make a lot of money to support their favorite charity or who had a terrible childhood so they want to help others with similar problems or who got healthy and want to help others who struggle with getting healthy and need help.
What I realized is that not only is your “why” different than anyone else’s, but it has to be what motivates you and only you. It is unique and important to you and that is all that matters. If you try to make a “why” that you think is acceptable for others, then you are just lying to yourself.
Your why of wanting to make $500/month to pay off your car is just as important as the “why” for person who wants to give to a charity. You see, in your life, paying off your car would mean that you would have less stress and can be a better person for your family.
My biggest why in being an entrepreneur is that I need variety, control and creative freedom. I suffocate when I work for a business and not myself. It affects my entire life and that is the best why for me.
It is important to identify YOUR why. Because whatever it is, your “why” is the driving force behind every business action you take.
When you’re deciding whether or not to take on a new client, ask yourself if it’s aligned with your “why.” When you’re setting goals for the year, ask yourself if those goals are moving you closer or further from your big why. Thinking of branching out into a new business venture? Make sure it’s in alignment with your big why, and success is suddenly much more attainable. If you don’t know your true “why” I encourage you to do it now. Find a quiet place and look inward to discover your true why. You don’t even need to share it with anyone. But by doing so, it will revolutionize your business.