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WHAT DRIVES YOUR BUSINESS AND YOUR LIFE?

Guest post by: Pat Mussieux

Article Overview: 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.

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."

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Article Tags: business coach, business goals, Lynette Crane, need for approval, Pat Mussieux, purpose, Rick Warren, your gifts, your passion



Related Forum Posts
Re: Old and Forgotten.... - Sorry for the oversight. HAPPY BIRTHDAY - BARBARA, LONG LIFE AND PROSPERITY!
Re: Is it better to become an entrepreneur at an early age? - I think the best time to become an entrepreneur is not about your age, but your LIFE STAGE. In my opinion, it's ideal to start by your business before you have a spouse/kids/family and mortgage and just after you've worked a few years to save up some capital/work experience (which is easiest to do while still living at home with your parents. No shame in being able to save $1000-2000+ each month).
Re: Old and Forgotten.... - [quote="topeyinka":1k77iu30]Sorry for the oversight. HAPPY BIRTHDAY - BARBARA, LONG LIFE AND PROSPERITY![/quote:1k77iu30] Thanks very much, Topeyinka! But I was really just joking - I know no one here could have known my birthdate! ! I was just wondering if an automated "Birthday greeting" sent from the forums would be a good idea...
Re: The secret to happiness - Hey GT You have a great attitude. I was a 4 pack a day smoker and I stopped about 8 years ago. Nobody thought it possible that Barry Sarner could ever stop smoking. It turned out to be the biggest lesson I ever learned in MY LIFE. The lesson: How could you fail at anything if you just refuse to give up? I slipped and slided for 8 months but even when I messed up, and I did alot, I never threw myself under the bus. I just started all over again the next day. I CHOSE to start again the next day . . . I CHOSE You must work on it every day of your life. Just know that you have the choice to start from scratch the next day. . . . . AND THAT IS OK TO DO. NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE UP
Re: SEEKING PRIVATE OR ANGEL INVESTOR - Definitely have a thorough and accurate business plan. In the US, you can get help at SCORE - their website is full of great information and you can check for local chapters. If you would like a book that has all kinds of great information about financing options - this one is very good --- HOW TO GET THE FINANCING FOR YOUR NEW SMALL BUSINESS: INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FROM THE EXPERTS WHO DO IT EVERY DAY—WITH CD-ROM This new book will provide you with a road map to securing the financing. The book goes into traditional financing methods and assists the reader in setting up proper financial statements and a proper business plan. It details the differences between debt and equity financing and how and why to use each. Valuation techniques are explained for determining what your business is truly worth. However, the book’s real strength is in explaining alternative and creative methods of financing, such as SBA financing, investor angels, IPOs, limited public offerings and venture capital. Essential resources for finding the detailed information you need are included throughout. Item # 9780910627559 $39.95 Shri


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