Small Business Success: Motivation Alone Is Not Enough

Small business success encompasses many things. Most importantly, your foundation for small business success is based on your motivation. Your motivation directs you to do whatever you think is valuable. But to have the small business success you desire, motivation alone is not enough. rnSmall Business Success: Are You Crossing The Right Finish Line?rnMotivation is one of the keys to success. But what if you were running a race and won and then realized that you had crossed the wrong finish line. As a business coach I see this happening more often than you would think. rnThe business owner starts out with enthusiasm and good intentions only to end up with little energy and unsatisfying results. He ran the race and crossed the finish line but there is not a feeling of exhilaration and a sense of true accomplishment. rnJim Rohn got right to the point when he said, “Motivation alone is not enough. If you have an idiot and motivate him, you have a motivated idiot.” As a business coach, I can assure you that all of us have our motivated idiocy. rnSmall Business Success Is About Doing What’s Important rnThese are the things that we put extraordinary focus on that are truly not that important. Or the manner in which we approach certain things knowing deep down inside if we only changed that we would have a better outcome. Our motivation must lead us to prioritize and do what is important. rnWhen you are self-employed your motivation determines your destiny. Whether you are starting your own business or running a small business how it is conducted and the results will reflect your motivation. Whether you are an entrepreneur or solo professional your business is a do-it-to-yourself proposition. rnSmall Business Success Is About Crossing The Right Finish Line rnAs a business owner seeking small business success how do you cross the right finish line? In my Business Keys To Success membership course this is one of several areas that are addressed to help you move forward to the business and life you desire. rnThe training and topic selections will serve as a guide to taking action as well as train you to think in ways to bring the success you desire into your life. To cross the right finish line education and training that encourage you to think, to improve are essential. rnWhat is the right finish line? It occurs when you are on a track to create a business and life that honors who you are. Too often, as a business coach I see a business owner running a small business based on someone else’s model. rnHere’s the problem. Let’s say that the model the business owner is using for his small business success is a company where the owner is outstanding at procedures and operations but weak in sales. This operationally oriented owner has had to invest a great deal of time and money into having a productive sales force in order for his business to be successful. rnBut, the business owner of this other company is outstanding at sales and marketing. In fact, he loves it. But, because he is using the operations oriented model, which fit the strengths of the business owner he is modeling himself after he is stuck in an office focused on policies and procedures and is unhappy. rnOver time because his motivation was to emulate this other successful business owner, he becomes unhappy and loses his enthusiasm and drive. How come? Because he is not using his gifts and talents. rnSmall business success is taking your motivation and making sure that putting you in a position to use your strengths. When you are using your strengths you will be happiest, most productive and increase the odds of your small business success. rnThe key to success is to have your motivation build a business and life that honors who you are. Only then will your motivation increase the odds of crossing the right finish line and having the success, freedom and abundance you desire.