WHAT DRIVES YOUR BUSINESS AND YOUR LIFE?

I hear from so many women entrepreneurs who are frustrated and dissatisfied with where their lives (and their business) are going. From past experience, I know that this stems from the fact they are not clear on their life purpose.

I am currently studying from the book, “The Purpose Driven Life – What on Earth Am I here for?” – by Rick Warren. It’s a simple study in that it is a paperback book, with only 319 pages, great discussion questions, solid content in the Appendices – and laid out in a way that you only focus on one chapter (4 pages, typically) each day.

Once you identify your purpose, your passion and your gifts – life is so easy! And it is never too late to learn more about this, especially if you are still searching for answers in your own life.

In the book, Rick Warren writes that ‘everyone’s life is driven by something, the 5 most common ones are: guilt, resentment, anger, fear, materialism, and/or the need for approval. I can relate to all of those –

GUILT: Come on! Most of you know that I grew up Catholic !!! ( I’m not here to bash any religion so don’t be sending be any e-mails about this, ok?!) I’m just sayin’……….that’s something I dealt with for many, many years. ‘Guilt-driven people allow their past to control their future. They often punish themselves by sabotaging their own success!…….We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it!” I have committed to my own personal development for years and years – there are tools and techniques available to help one get past the past. I am serious about growing and developing to be the ‘best me’ that I can be. What about you?

RESENTMENT: Oh yah – been there, too! Don’t you ever look at someone else in your industry and ask yourself the question: “How come everything seems to come to them so easily? What about me?” Or, if you come from a large family like I do, haven’t you ever wondered why your siblings were treated better, fairer, easier……….or why their lives seem so much happier? What a humongous waste of energy!!!!! Dr. Warren says “Resentment always hurts you more than it does the person you resent.” It’s time to release those feelings, for certain.

FEAR: – Oh Baby! Don’t ya know I could write a book on this one?!! When I look back on my life and on my business and reflect on where/when I let fear keep a grip on me, well…….you can relate, I am certain. I missed out on a lot of opportunities – that I know for certain! “Fear is a self-imposed prison that will keep you from becoming what God intends for you to be. You MUST move against it with the weapons of faith and love.” Where are you letting fear hold you back right now in your life?

THE NEED FOR APPROVAL: Ladies – are you with me? Oprah often referred to this as ‘the disease to please’! “Many adults are still trying to earn the approval of unpleasable parents. Others are driven by peer pressure, always worried by what others might think. Unfortunately, those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it!” One thing I know for sure – you can’t please everybody. It’s impossible. So……..2 words…….STOP IT!

There are great benefits to living a purpose driven life – especially when it comes to your health – both mentally and physically! “Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life, it simplifies your life, it focuses your life, it motivates your life……..”

I want to share a bit of the story of one of my clients – Lynette Crane- who has coached with me for a number of months now (and who happily celebrated her 74th birthday this past April!). She is a real life example of what is possible when you know your life purpose – no matter what your age! Here’s what she has to say:

“I retired early from my job as a community college psychology instructor because, although I had created new courses and benefited many young lives, I felt burned out. There seemed to be nothing more for me to say.

Then I had a heart attack – one that never should have happened, or so I thought, because of my healthy lifestyle, and especially because I was a “stress solutions expert”. This heart attack became the catalyst for me to re-examine my life and what I thought I knew about stress, and to develop innovative programs to help myself and overly-busy, at-risk women everywhere.

Today I am filled with energy and joy everyday as I fulfill my purpose of helping women everywhere find stress solutions that not only save their lives, but make those lives worth saving.”