Last night, I slept fitfully. I dont know exactly why, but I suspect it has something to do with the fact that I have a full day and I have a lot of prospects I want to add to my business coaching roster, so I need to fit them in. Despite all of this, Im energized and juiced, ready to make things happen. Instead of being de-motivated by having so much to accomplish, Im jazzed. How come? Thats simple; Im in my own business. I love what I do. And even when the cash flow is a trickle, it still has enough excitement, enough possibility and reward in it to keep me hooked. Every year or so, a poll is taken asking people why they work, and money, as a factor generally isnt placed first. While I have reason to doubt the validity of this, and other surveys, I do think, for independent businesspeople, money truly is NOT number one. Why do WE work? What other reinforcers are there in what we do? I see five crucial factors: (1) The joy of building something, particularly out of nothing. Few things are as creative as inventing a business, putting together its content, as say, consultants and coaches do. (2) The thrill of the chase. Finding customers is always a challenge, and when people say, yes to our sales and marketing efforts, its joyous. (3) The feeling of independence is a major plus. No person is an island, true, and we all report to someone, including to our customers, so we arent thoroughly independent. Yet, many of us feel this way. (4) The ability to develop a strategic plan, and then to implement it. So few folks in corporate life get a chance to chart courses, and then pursue them, that it is a pity. Theyre missing some great satisfactions. (5) The ability to be of service. When people really enjoy the meal you served, the suit you tailored, the advice you gave, its uplifting for us all. Money is great, and often it flows, naturally, from doing these five things well. But as wise people have pointed out, when it comes to measuring the success of independent businesses, its only one way to count! |
