“He who has a why can endure any how.” – Frederick Nietzsche
Understanding your own motivations is incredibly important, both in life as well in business.
There are many reasons as to why someone would want to be an entrepreneur: creative independence, financial autonomy, the desire to break away from the corporate nine to five structure, etc.
Whatever the reason is, at its core, it’s about having the freedom to do things the way you want to.
As an owner of a company, you set the targets you want to hit and the standards you want to uphold.
Not having anyone standing in the way of your vision can be an incredible feeling, but with it comes the reality that there is no one to blame for failure except yourself.
This is when your “why” becomes critical.
Your motivation must be more than just money. New businesses and start-ups can often go a long time without generating enough revenue for the founder/s to earn a salary.
(A salary for the founder means less runway for the business)
Without a strong “why,” the passion that is required for success just won’t be there.
Pursuing your dream can be stressful as well as costly, so if you’re not completely 100% committed, then odds are your business will not make it off the ground.
You don’t need some dramatic backstory to be passionate, you just need to be honest with yourself and those around you.
The “why” isn’t just the reason you do what you do, it’s the constant reminder that keeps you energised and focused.
Maybe when you started your business you were passionate and energetic, ready to face any challenge that may arise head on.
But for whatever the reason, find yourself distracted and apathetic, questioning why you even became an entrepreneur in the first place.
The best way to refocus yourself and your business is to think back to why you started along this journey, and really evaluate whether your moving in the direction you envisioned.
Finding and realising your purpose is not an easy task.
Talk to your friends and family (people whose opinions you value and trust) and ask them what they think your strengths are.
Think about your regular day to day, and really try to see if there is anything you are doing that can potentially be turned into a business.
Whether you’re just starting as an entrepreneur, or are a seasoned veteran, remember to take a step back every once in awhile and really evaluate whether you’re following your “why.”
