Some Of Us Wanna Do What We Love and Eat At Fancy Restaurants.
I'm a little conflicted by this - even the title of this blog, yep, the one I wrote, bugs me so here's what we're gonna do, I’m gonna write this post from a 'let's explore the facts' point of view and see where we end up. Sound good? OK, let's do this -
Dream Big, Achieve Big
One of the first exercises I ask my clients to do is complete what I call a Dream Big exercise.
I ask them to imagine their lives 5-10 years from now with them at the helm (or not, but still reaping the benefits of once being at the helm) of their online business.
I ask them to write down in detail what that vision looks like, what their life, their relationships and their business looks like in the future.
By the end of the exercise, they have a vibrant set of goals to focus on as they embark on their entrepreneurial journey.
Your brain doesn't care if you set big goals or small goals. Tell it to focus on something, anything, and that's what it will do.
Tell Me Your Why And I'll Tell You Who You Are
Once they finish their dream big exercise my clients know what they want and I understand what motivates them.
Like Simon Sinek says in his book, Start With Why,
“People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe.”
If you look at my website and read the content I share then you’ll see references to “ethically ambitious people”, “action-takers” and “dream-seekers” littered throughout.
This is no accident. I do this, not only because I understand marketing but because I want to speak directly to the people I wish to serve.
As a result, my clients are creative souls looking to start a business that lights them up and makes a difference in the world.
Supporting budding entrepreneurs who share this vision is one of my big whys.
So, it begs the question, is it ok to start a business and not save the world?
The answer is No! You’re a bad person, you should hang your head in shame, retreat into a dark solitary place to question your level of integrity. I'm kidding!
It takes courage to start a business, to imagine a world that doesn't yet exist and make it happen.
It's not a path everyone chooses and with an eye-watering 60% of businesses failing in their first 5 years it's definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Starting and running a business is hard work and even when you get to do what you love, it's not rainbows, daisies and freshly made doughnuts every day of the week. Mmm...doughnuts
Look at anyone successful, people who are at the top of their field, like Beyoncé, Serena and Oprah (yeah, we're on a first-name basis), they've undoubtedly had days, months, years of struggle and hard work but they wouldn't be where they are today if they didn't love what they do and envision a world where they were at top of their field.
So what about you, why do you want to start a business?
Do you want to have more freedom?
Make more money?
Change the world?
Save lives?
Rescue dolphins?
Sleep in till noon?
Be famous?
Become a big deal with a “prenuer” at the end of your name?
Be on Oprah? Be on stage?
Make millions, give it all away and live on a remote island no one can pronounce?
It might be one, some or none of the above but here's something we all have in common, we want to feel significant.
Every human being on the planet desires the need to feel significant.
We want to feel like our presence matters, which it does and like we matter, which we do.
Remember, you're not here by chance. You are meant to occupy space in this world. You were created for a reason and it's your job to figure out what that is.
I don't think it's possible to start a business and not change lives. If you're a chocolatier, for example, specialising in the making of the most exquisite mouth-watering desserts then you may not think you're "changing lives" but consider this -
Your chocolate brings joy to someone's day. It might be offered as a gift to someone on a special occasion. It might be part of a significant moment in someone's life, a moment that they’ll treasure forever.
So, it's not really for you as the chocolatier to decide if you're in a life-changing business or not. Your customers will determine that for you.
Does that make sense?
I think it's hard, especially if we're not creating a business that actively relieves pain or suffering, not to minimise the impact we are having, so I say, let's apply an abundance mindset and realise our full potential.
When we embrace and accept our full selves and choose to live wholeheartedly we give others permission to do the same.
The Ripple Effect
If you change your life and make money doing what you love and as a result become a happier person then that will create a ripple effect.
When you wake up in the morning and rest your head down at night with a sense of peace and purpose in your heart you will create a ripple effect.
When your business serves people and adds value to their lives in some way, great or small, then you will create a ripple effect.
What's the ripple effect?
A continuum of inspiration, positivity and light that touches the lives of those who need it most.
Think of a stone thrown into calm waters. It creates a ripple effect, very small at first but then the circles get bigger and bigger.
That's how powerful you are and the potential you have to make change.
Your Customers Are Looking For You
If you've ever held yourself back believing that there's too much competition out there and there’s no point in starting your own business then as far as I see it you have two choices.
Keep playing that record - Bored. Yawn. Snooze.
OR
Stop it and throw away the record - You don't wanna be dancing to that song!
Your customers are looking for you. You may not believe me but it's true.
With nearly 8 billion people on the planet, I promise you that there are customers out there, looking for what you are offering in the way that you are offering it.
Representation Matters
This is why representation is so important. There's enough space for all of us to thrive and that's why we need business owners from all walks of life; Black and White, Asian and LatinX, Male, Female, Gender-neutral, Gay, Straight, LBTQ, abled, disabled and diversely blessed human beings with a story to share in places of leadership, influence and change.
Start your business like you live your life; on purpose and with purpose.
Human Nature
So, I started this post a little confused. But here's my position on this -
I don't think it's possible to start and create a successful business and not make an impact.
Sure we might initially think it will be nice to do what we love, make money and eat at fancy restaurants but deep down our human need, our human nature craves more. It craves a feeling of significance.
And true significance comes from the connections and relationships we build and in the way we make people feel.
When your business brings joy and love to someone’s life you’ve created a meaningful business.
Alright, now I’d love to hear from you.
Do you agree?
Disagree?
Are you starting a business to change the world, change your bank balance or a bit of both?
Whether it’s big ‘n’ noble or small ‘n’ personal, I’d love to know in the comments below!
Love Nat x
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Alright - you know what to do!
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