When I teach entrepreneurs how to create and shape and cultivate their businesses, one of the things I focus on is the utterly unique aspect of their particular business. I like to call this their great work, that beautiful marriage of relevance and necessity.
It can be very tempting, especially when you’re new to your business, to model the shape of your work after someone else’s; even more especially if that someone else is rocking out and showing you the appearance of success.
We want to do what they’re doing, because not only are they doing it, it looks like it’s working for them. And more deeply than that, we want our work to make money, for our work to matter, for our striving to make a difference in the world we inhabit.
This is a deep truth: that the only way to make a difference, and to make money doing it, is to remember that you and you alone can do your great work in the world.
Don’t compare yourself or your business model or your results with any other entrepreneur’s self or business model or results. Compare yourself to where you know you want to go and who you want to be. Become aware of who you really are, and lean into that.
Know your numbers. Know your definition of success, both in terms of the money you want, and the impact you seek. How many people will you serve? How much money will you bring in and how much will go out? Become comfortable with the natural ebb and flow of money through your business and through your life.
Lead from your heart, that space that holds your deepest desire and your best ability to serve and give love the way only you can. Become strong in the understanding that leading in love strengthens your message and your purpose in ways that go beyond words, and affect not just yourself but the fabric of the society and culture and world you inhabit – which, in turn, affects all of us, no matter how or where we are.
Your great work is within you, and it’s not just for us: it’s for you.
The first step in your business journey, in finding and doing and living your great work, is to drop into the space where you know that this all comes from you.
It’s about who you are and what you love and what you are here to do. Remember this, because it is the foundation of what you’re building. It’s much harder to go back later and restructure everything around this understanding, so work at getting it now. I promise you that it is worth it.
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No need to be nervous, Ms. Rhi – you hit right at the heart of what we all go through as we try to figure out this Business thing: how to offer value while staying true to ourselves. The irony is that the value is hiding in plain sight: ourselves.
Exactly. It’s a beautiful paradox, yes?