Having an entrepreneur’s mindset is necessary to thrive in business.
It’s the ability to think outside the box and see opportunities that can be turned into a business. It’s believing that you can grow and create success by developing your talents and abilities. And it’s knowing what you want, why you want it, and having the determination to get it.
While these are critical skills, I believe that the most important step for starting a business is to find clarity and intent.
What does this mean and how do you do it?
Clarity means you are certain on your vision, what you want to accomplish and can define what your core values are. Not having a clear direction will lead you down any path. And any path will not give you meaning, fulfillment or the quality of life you’re looking for. You have to be sure what you’re going after.
Is your vision something you really want and does it fit your deepest desires?
How do you find clarity?
One way to find clarity is to define your core values and use them to motivate and inspire what action you take from there. So what are your values —authenticity, self-development, courage, kindness, simplicity, power, or maybe persistence, perfectionism, and assertiveness? When you know the values that resonate with you it’s easy to decide what you will pursue.
For instance, because of my deepest values of independence, freedom, and self-development, I needed to create an independent income so I can choose my own way to live and earn money, and be free of any control. That led me to start a business called “Create Income Independence” where I can help other people do the same thing.
Sit down and write out the ideals that matter to you, list your five core values. This should give you a sharper view of what’s important to you or where to go from there. Another way to find clarity – follow these seven steps.
The next step is to define your “why”
Finding clarity is only part of the entrepreneur equation. The other part is to know your why. Your innermost why is truly the force that makes you continue pursuing your goal.
Once you get clear on your vision and what you want to accomplish – your goal, determine why this is truly important to you. Let’s use starting a business as your goal. Starting a successful business is rewarding, but not easy and not without effort.
Many times clients will give their reason as “I want a flexible schedule“, ” I want to be able to work from anyplace” or, “I want to make more money“. And while that is true for most of us, there is usually a deeper reason. A reason that pushes you to do the hard things, the out of your comfort zone things that may be necessary to succeed.
The following exercise is a great way to find your real motivating why. It’s basically asking yourself a question and digging deeper for an answer each time. Sign up to get the free worksheet here.
Here is the question to ask yourself.
Why is____________________ important to me?
For our example, we used starting a business
Ask: Why is starting a business important to me?
Take your answer and ask again. I’ve made up answers, but use whatever is true for you.
Ask: Why is setting my own schedule important to me?
Take that answer and ask again.
Ask: Why is having time to explore other interests important to me?
And again.
Ask: Why is finding my true talent and ability important to me?
Continue this five times in total, or more if you’re still looking for your core value.
Get the free worksheet -Find Clarity and Define Your Why.
By the last one, you’ll have to do some soul-searching.
In so doing, you’ll find your real desires and the true values behind your goals.
Maybe, in the end, your actual reason to start the business is “to prove to myself, family and friends that I am smart, capable, and can accomplish great things”.
This is very empowering, as it becomes your driving force. It makes your goal real and meaningful.
It will provide the motivation to start, and more importantly to carry on when things get tough and you want to quit. This has made a difference to me when I don’t want to do the work that I need to do. I stop and think about what’s very important to me and why I want it. That becomes my motivator to continue.
How the combination of clarity and knowing your why work together
When you are clear on what your vision, core values, and goals are, you can determine why they are important.
When you truly understand your what and your why, you’re ready to commit to doing everything necessary to succeed. You’re no longer afraid of the challenges. You’re willing to learn, think, and act differently from your old self. You develop a growth mindset that motivates you to strive for success.
Conclusion
The goal of this post is to help you succeed in your own business. As we stated in the beginning mindset is very important to the journey as an entrepreneur. Don’t skip this exercise, it’s very enlightening. It can make a big difference in what you accomplish. Sign up to get the free worksheet here.
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I’d Love to Hear Your Feedback.
Did you find this article helpful? Do you have clarity on your values and understand what’s really driving you to meet your goal?
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