The Purpose-Driven Business: 5 Simple Truths about Making Money from Your Calling

Do you ever hear a deeper calling to step out and make an impact in this world? Have you created your own business because you know you want to make a difference? Are you living your life purpose in some way?

If you answered YES to these questions, then you’re not alone. Six million people start a business each year, lots of them based in a true desire to change the world.

Unfortunately, many of these well-intentioned businesses (and purposes!) fail. It doesn’t have to be that way! It often comes down to understanding some of the truths that you must learn when you venture into the world of business.

Here are 5 truths that I’ve learned as I’ve created a successful purpose-driven business and helped thousands of people do the same!

1 - Our Growth is Often Proportional to Our Investment

One of the gifts of owning your own business is that you learn how to be financially empowered and how to invest in yourself while creating a high return on that investment.

The old employee mindset says: “Hey, when the company pays for it, I’ll do it.”

As an entrepreneur, if you live in this disempowered state-of-mind, you’ll never succeed. You must see money in a bigger way and invest in your growth and education.

2 - Clarity Trumps Practicality

One of the most common questions I get from clients is this:
“Do you think my idea is practical, given this crazy economy?”

My answer is based on years of experience. You must decide to do it first, and then you can look at the practical aspects of it. That is the power of your commitment and your energy. (“Practical” is often a procrastination device!)

Clarity trumps practicality. When someone is clear, and they take action from that place of clarity – then practicality has no choice but to move aside and let manifestation occur.

3 - Systems Help You Soar

If you are creative or entrepreneurial, you are probably great at “winging it.”

The only problem is that you often live in chaos, and everything on your to-do list is urgent. Keep this up – and you’ll eventually burn out.

Systems require that you step back and really look at your daily activities. Systems require that you ask: “How does this work? How can I make it more effective?”

Systems allow you to step away from your work, take vacations, have weekends – and most blessedly, have lots of free space in your mind for creativity. When I help my clients set up even simple systems for the first time in their businesses, they are always amazed at how much more time they have.

4 - Ignoring your Marketing Doesn’t Make You Humble. (It makes you fail.)

I was a big fan of the statement: “Do what you love, and the money will follow.” It’s a beautiful philosophy. And true on so many levels.

But I used it as a way to ignore the business side of my work. After all, hey, if I’m aligned with my purpose, the money will follow – then I don’t ever have to deal with it, right?

Uh, wrong.

I’ve since learned that avoidance is not a game plan. Neither is hope.

Just because you’re a little scared to market yourself doesn’t mean you can’t do it!

When you learn how to consciously market your products and services and offer packages and programs in alignment with your purpose - you will experience a deep peace because you will understand how to run your business and marketing so that it supports your purpose. (That’s what your business is supposed to do!)

5 - Serve. Or Be a Servant. The Choice is Yours.

You serve others with your attention, your intention, your health, your clarity, your awareness, and your power.

You serve others by charging what you’re worth, taking care of your health, honoring your time so that you’re not distracted or multi-tasking, by making requests rather than complaining, and by taking full responsibility for your thoughts and actions.

When you’re a servant, however, you’re a slave to the ego, which wants you to believe that serving others means ignoring yourself. After all, the ego would prefer that you remain powerless, fearful, and unaware. That way, it keeps you tethered to the idea of “security.”

When you don’t understand power (or service), you need security for survival. The ego is great at security.