Are You on a Mission?

Being an entrepreneur is bigger than just owning a business. It allows real transformation to happen. Transformation in you as a person, and as a business person. And it goes even further than that. That opportunity to transform goes hand in hand with your ability to have impact.

You impact every aspect of your business. All the aspects of the 'what' and the 'how' of your business are determined by you and your vision. Through that, you affect everyone who works with you. The valuable service or product that you offer impacts everyone who is touched by it. You influence your family and friends by what you are doing. You're a role model. And on it goes. See what I mean?

By lighting your flame, you ignite others' flames as well. Your impact just keeps on rolling out into the world.

The scope of your impact is probably hard to imagine, especially if you're a solopreneur or recently started your business. You might be thinking, that's not me! I don't have that kind of impact. We all tend to underestimate how many people we affect through what we do and how we do it.

By recognizing your impact, you can direct it in ways that really focus on service. It takes you beyond the you-centric experience of business success into the greater realm of service to the larger world.

What if your impact was guided by a bigger purpose, a mission? Bigger than, 'make money in my business' or even, 'support my family with my business'.

Think about what made you decide on this business over any other. What is there in it that suggests a higher purpose? I've called this, the BIG WHY, in my workshops. This phrase really captures the essence of the overarching purpose in your business.

This mission is your vision for what you want to accomplish by being in business in the first place. Do you want to: Make it easier for people to have their own impact in the world with your writing? Bring beauty into people's work and living spaces with your art? Help people have fulfilled and joyful lives with your coaching?

Whatever your mission, your own clarity about it will help guide you in your business.

You'll be able to make better decisions about new offerings or projects, and your day-to-day choices will be easier. Your focus will improve, and you'll spend less time on distractions and being sidetracked. Your motivation will continually be recharged by your mission, especially in difficult times in your business.

Overall, your path to success will be more fulfilling. Your mission is a valuable contribution to the world. You can use your own clarity about what your mission is to make an even bigger impact, to be of even greater service, perhaps far beyond what you originally imagined.

As you launch into 2014, do it with a sense of purpose in your business. Everyone you touch will benefit.