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Starting a business has always been a dream of mine. Being my own boss, creating something from scratch, and pursuing my passions are incredibly fulfilling endeavors. However, I’ve come to realize that without understanding my motivation from the start, this path could lead to misery, even if my business becomes successful by financial or client standards.
In an interview on the Photo Business Help podcast, I had the opportunity to discuss the importance of understanding one’s motivation when starting a business. I strongly believe that without a clear vision of what I’m trying to accomplish and why I’m doing it, I might wake up one day feeling miserable despite outward signs of success.
Let me tell you this: before embarking on the journey of starting a business, I urge you to take the time to figure out what truly motivates you. Without this understanding, it’s easy to fall into the trap of pursuing someone else’s definition of success or living a life that’s not in alignment with who you really are.
The Importance of Purpose and Clarity
Understanding my motivation has been a transformative experience for me, and it has its roots in my own journey. After spending 25 years in the corporate world, I realized that I wasn’t truly happy or fulfilled. I found myself constantly chasing external markers of success like promotions and raises, but I never felt satisfied.
It wasn’t until I started my own consulting business that I began to understand the importance of purpose and clarity. I came to the realization that my previous attempts at finding happiness were misguided because I didn’t understand my true motivation. This realization led me to develop a process for helping others identify their core values and motivations, enabling them to find success and happiness in their businesses.
The Benefits of Understanding Your Motivation
Understanding my motivation has brought numerous benefits into my life. It has allowed me to make decisions that are in alignment with my core values and beliefs. As a result, I have been able to create a business that is truly fulfilling and brings me happiness. Moreover, this deep understanding of my motivation has motivated me on a profound level, ensuring long-term success fueled by something meaningful to me.
Furthermore, understanding my motivation has shielded me from burnout. When I pursue something I’m genuinely passionate about, it doesn’t feel like work. I have the energy and drive to persevere even during the most challenging times.
It’s essential to ask ourselves why we want the things we desire. It’s easy to get caught up in external factors that we believe will bring us happiness, such as more money or a better body, without truly exploring the underlying reasons behind these desires.
The Importance of Asking Why
In a conversation I had with Natalie Jennings, we discussed the importance of asking ourselves why we want certain things. Often, we rely on external factors to provide answers, but this lack of self-reflection is common not only among individuals but also among business owners. Many entrepreneurs may desire more time and money for their businesses without considering the bigger picture. Are they trying to earn an income, create a legacy, or make an impact in their community?
Taking the time to ask ourselves why we want the things we want can lead to a deeper understanding of our true motivations and desires. This self-reflection helps us set more meaningful and fulfilling goals, and it provides us with the insight needed to achieve them.
So, the next time you find yourself setting a goal or desire, take a step back and ask yourself why. What is it that you truly want, and how can you achieve it in a way that aligns with your values and motivations? By doing so, you may find that the path to achieving your goals becomes clearer and the outcomes more rewarding.
The Importance of Clarity in Business
Starting a business is undeniably exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. It’s easy to get caught up in the logistics and planning, such as creating a business plan and determining pricing. However, it’s crucial to take a step back and ask myself why I want to start a business in the first place.
During the said interview with Natalie Jennings, we discussed the importance of clarity in business and starting with why. We acknowledged that many people tend to seek external answers, such as desiring more money or losing weight, without truly understanding why they want those things. It’s essential to dig deeper and uncover my personal motivations and vision.
Natalie shared her personal experience, highlighting how she realized that certain aspects of her business didn’t align with the more important things in her life, such as traveling. This realization led her to adjust her business model, embracing a more digital-focused approach that allows her to work from almost anywhere in the world, excluding the actual shoot itself.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of conforming to societal or external expectations, but I firmly believe in stripping away those influences and focusing on what I genuinely want. By starting with why, I can clarify my vision and ensure that my business aligns with my values and goals. This clarity also helps me make important decisions, such as pricing and business plans, with a clear understanding of their connection to my overall purpose.
To end, starting a business requires more than just logistical planning. It demands clarity and a deep understanding of my motivations and vision. By starting with why, I can ensure that my business journey is not only successful but also fulfilling, as it aligns with who I am and what truly matters to me.
About The Author
Steve Fredlund is The Safari Dude. As a professional actuary in human resources analytics, he uncovered surprising factors that enhance employee engagement, and work enjoyment; key elements for effectiveness, enhanced retention, productivity, and organizational success.
Minnesota to Rwanda, nonprofit to corporate, start-ups to Fortune 500 companies he brings to your event thirty years of leadership success. Steve’s personal safari mission is to help great leaders and their teams enjoy an epic safari by getting the right peeps in their jeeps and in the right seats.
