Passion

Discovery – The Entrepreneur’s First Step to Success!

I started my entrepreneurial adventure while I was living in Park City, Utah. As a young entrepreneur I walked into a friends business one day and saw a poster that almost drove me out of the business world forever.

Looking down main street in Park City, Utah, USA

Image via Wikipedia

What could have possibly have caused a young, passionate entrepreneur to cash it in so early in my career? Well, I turned the corner and in an out of the way spot in their store I saw a picture of a terrible storm on the ocean. You know what I mean; terrible winds and waves, etc. And there in the midst of this terrible storm was a little wooden row boat. Below this harrowing picture was a caption that said, “So you want to start your own business!” (I think that picture caused me to have nightmares!)

While I didn’t quit, the truth of that picture caused me to take the time to discover what it was that drove me to be an entrepreneur. As I boiled things down I came up with three things that drew me to the world of startups and have kept me here for over 25 years.

What three things burn in the heart of an entrepreneur that get them in the game and keep them there?

1. An entrepreneur discovers the person that they really are. This discovery usually involves an understanding that a “real job” just doesn’t work for them.

2. An entrepreneur discovers the passion that drives them to succeed no matter the challenges and struggles that being an entrepreneur brings.

3. An entrepreneur discovers that life is about more than money. Success takes on a unique and personal definition for the true entrepreneur. It is only when this personal definition of success if fulfilled that the entrepreneur is content with life and business.

I think seeing that poster early in my career was a great thing. While I never really considered quitting, that picture did burn into my mind the truth that being an entrepreneur requires more of you than most are willing to pay. But if you are willing to brave the wind and waves, the rewards are greater than any “money making” life option!

Discover who you are, what your passion is, and why business is about more than money and you too can take to the stormy seas and find yourself, your life, and your success!

What other things have you discovered that have made your entrepreneurial life a success?

The Art of Innovation

We are living in some really difficult times. Even with the Christmas holiday ahead of us (a time that should bring joy and happiness), many people can’t help but wonder how they are going to make it through another year in the current economic climate. As I write this post, we don’t know what the tax situation is going to be or whether there is going to be money available to expand and grow their business.

I certainly don’t have all (or maybe even any) of the answers, but I do know that the most important thing we can do in our lives as well as our businesses is to learn the art of innovation. What I mean by this is that we have to learn to look at every situation not as they are but as they can be. We need to look beyond the struggles of a given day (or even year) and look for the best way to do things in the future.

Business owners have struggled this year and many are considering folding up their tents and heading home. My thought is that instead of folding up, let’s learn to think in ways that will bring changes and reestablish our passion for life, family, and business. Let’s look at the way to do things in new and more productive ways. Let’s find more efficient ways to spend our scarce resources. Let’s give our clients more attention and better service than ever before.

Innovation is the key to climbing out of our current situation. Every business owner and every employee needs to have the freedom to think freely and to bring about positive, innovative change. When we become innovative thinkers and when we put these innovations to practice in our businesses we can come out ahead in the year to come.

Keep your head up and your mind active!

Talk more later ….

Discovery – The Entrepreneur’s First Step to Success!

The Art of Innovation

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