Top 5 Tips to Keep Entrepreneurship from Crushing Your Soul
People often glamorize the idea of being an entrepreneur. “Follow your heart” or another commonly thrown-about phrase is “Do what you love, so you’ll never have to feel like it’s work…”
Well, I am here to tell you that that’s true…some of the time…but not always!
Once you start a business, no matter how much you love it, there are many times you’ll find yourself doing tasks you do NOT love or even enjoy.
Especially when you have to dodge the constant curveballs that come along the way. Or deal with sudden changes when things didn’t go as planned, which is often the case in business.
That’s why it is important to be very clear about your intentions and focus on the “why”.
Because, ever so often, when the going gets tough, your reasons and intentions will inspire you to push forward and see things through.
PROVEN METHODS TO KEEP ENTREPRENEURSHIP FROM CRUSHING YOUR SOUL
Here are my experience-proven pointers to prevent burning out as an entrepreneur. These are the key questions I would ask myself when setting my intention for starting a new venture.
1. Is My Business Aligned With My Core Values And Vision For What I Want Out Of Life?
Forming a company vision plan is one of the most important things you can do right at the start of your entrepreneurial journey.
Adeo Rossi, a serial Silicon Valley entrepreneur, “ writes in Forbes A startup’s vision is their interpretation of what the world will look like in the future, and how their venture will be part of this future.”
The more you stick to your vision, the simpler the decision-making process will become, and the better you will sleep at night!
2. Is My Business Solving A Problem, Making A Genuine Contribution, And Providing Extreme Value For My Customers?
Nir Eyal, bestselling author of “ Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products “, recommends a simple 2-question method — ‘Is what I am working on materially improving people’s lives?’ And ‘Am I the user?’.
Some of the biggest businesses of the decade have said yes to both these questions — Amazon, Google, Slack, Facebook, the list can go on.
If your product can materially improve people’s lives and if you are also the potential user, then you have the intimate knowledge of what the user needs.
3. Am I Starting This Business To Prove My Own Value And Self-Worth? Fill Up My Schedule Or Get Me Rich Quick?
You need more than these reasons to start your own business because your vocation can never give you self-worth in the long run.
It can help you grow your confidence and your self-esteem, but if you tie it to your self-worth, you may be headed for a downward spiral when the going gets tough. The large let-downs are better handled when your passion keeps fueling you forward.
4. Does My Business Bring Out My Strengths Or Awaken My Passion?
Because this will reflect in your expression, implementation, and inspiration for your business. Some are good at numbers; others are better at simplifying complex ideas — it’s best to know your strengths and actively use them in business to succeed in your industry.
5. Do I Have The Right People Around Me To Help Me Carry Out My Vision?
You cannot figure out everything on your own. Innovation by itself is challenging — so it is important that you hire the right people and use the correct tools for support and success.
So, there you have it — the 5 simple tips to prevent you from being soul-crushed on the roller coaster journey of entrepreneurship.
I often check in with myself and ask these questions to make sure that I stay true to my path…it is best to periodically check in to see whether you are steering off course, especially when your business starts to expand.
A regular self-reflection practice about your business and entrepreneurship goals makes the journey a lot more rewarding, the challenges a lot more tolerable, and the success that much sweeter!
Originally published at https://illuminations.ae on February 5, 2021.
