So you want to be, or are in business, how come? What motivates you, or drives you to do it, or want to do it?

For many its the percieved lifestyle (golfing fishing, haning out with business buddies while others are working for you), or is it the money, or the sense of achievement…. Whatever it is I think its vital to know.

Many businesses fail in the first 12 months or so, and its not for the want of trying… long hours, hard slog, marketing, managing, operational issues the list is extensive and it all needs work. For many the hard slog of operating a business comes as a shock when they realise the startup idea they had is now a ideal heartache!

So why be in buisness, whats the need, the want, the desire…. what is it at your CORE not on the surface. What makes you want to really do it? In a post war era there may be those that got started due to being in life threatening situations and they clearly said “There is more to life than a 9 - 5 job, my destiny is what I make of it, not what my boss, my family or my wife wants to make of it…” And if ever they needed to stop and smell the roses, they counted their blessings for being alive and knew intimately what drove or motivated them to be in business. These people have a sense of higher purpose and want to make sure they make the most of what they have.

On the other hand those that get into business for other reasons, (It’s a family business and I HAVE to take over) would possibly be doing so from a completely different angle, the need is great in one sense, but the want is different (they may not want to, but have to in some cases).

The minute you figure out why you need the business at a deeper level than “I need the money” or “I need to buy a job” then you will have a solid reason to ensure you make the business work.

Here’s a big example, what if I was to tell you a business you wanted to set up and a product you want to manufacture will “save the country from being wiped out by aliens, and keping it going will ensure they stay away”. Would that be different to “My wife says I will not get a job so I should buy a franchise so I am kept busy…” of course it is, the drive to make the business work is infinitely stronger, the sense of purpose, and the benefits are truly compelling in the first instance.

Then add to this the ability you would have to “sell” the mision and vision to the team would be VERY different. Your ability to lead would be VERY different, if things got out of hand and a staff member wanted to quit you would have a VERY different pep talk to them, “C’mon, don’t leave, your country needs you, we need you… you are a vital member of this team…” (Mind you you probably would not need to pep them up and remind them of the mission and vision, the team and the project as a whole probably would be very compelling for them.)

And the sense of achievement at the end of the process… WOW! we saved the country… PHEW! YAY! etc…

So make the need compelling, explore it, roll in it! revell in it! MAKE SURE the need is something worthy of your efforts, worthy of your time.

Stumble it!