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The 7 Pillars of Purpose Driven Entrepreneurship

Written by: Jing Jin

Article Overview: Follow your passion, uncover your purpose, and create a successful business, living it. Learn the 7 pillars essential to create a purpose driven venture.

The 7 Pillars of Purpose Driven Entrepreneurship

I was born in China during the Cultural Revolution. China was strict and poor then. And choices were limited. To have a better life, there seemed to be just one narrow road. For millions of young people, that meant going to college, getting a decent job, making a good living and starting a family. But even at a young age, in a land and culture that valued conformity, I felt compelled to seek a different path, a path of inspiration, a path that would somehow lead me to a more purposeful life - my purpose in life.

Despite extreme parental, social and cultural pressures, I rebelled, holding steadfast to my ideal, and refused to live a life that was below it. It was painful and often lonely. And I was fighting a battle that seemed impossible at the time. But for me, the choice was a matter of life or death: I either give up my truths or I leave my country in hopes of finding a way to keep them alive.

I chose the latter.

Without knowing a single soul, I set sail to begin a series of exciting adventures in brand new and completely foreign lands. There were challenges, obstacles and struggles, for sure. But my desire to realize my highest potential was so strong that it gave me the fire and stamina necessary to accomplish my goals. I worked hard and was soon doing well, professionally. Yet I found myself pursuing another "conventional path," just in a different country. It was then my heart again spoke to me, its voice loud and growing louder, telling me, "This is only a stepping stone. There is a purpose waiting for you. Keep searching..."

Several painful relationships also injected the needed fuel for me to begin a new journey, this time from within. I searched and explored, really explored. Yoga, meditation, introspection, dancing, painting, traveling, Burning Man, sweat lodge... Whatever my heart wished to feel, I followed it. Then something interesting was revealed to me - my life's purpose. It almost caught me off guard. And I was surprised to discover that the "apple" was not far from the "tree."

What I am passionate about is the integration of our inner truths with what we do in business. I discovered my niche - a place that blends my deepest passion, greatest gifts and heart-felt values. It is my passion and purpose to share what I have learned and lived in my own journey with others - to help others uncover their life purpose and create a viable business living it.

I call it "The Seven Pillars of Purpose-driven Entrepreneurship."

1. Follow your inspiration: When we are inspired, we innovate, push beyond status quos, and find creative solutions. Our inspiration leads us to uncover our greatest gifts and make our greatest contributions. In turn we enjoy our greatest fulfillment and success. It makes us come alive and brings life to our projects and those around us. Follow your inspiration, it will not steer you wrong.

2. Believe in your ideals: It is by the real that I exist; it is by the ideal that we live. Great countries, institutions and companies are created by a set of beliefs and ideals by their founding members. Believe in your ideals, live by them and inspire others to co-create value-based organizations. Our business is an extension of who we are. Let it reflect that, and make the world a better place than when you found it.

3. Think with your heart: In Chinese character, the word “think” is illustrated as a brain on top of a heart. In the West, we are trained to think with our brain using logics. In the East we believe the key to life and business mastery lies with our heart. It contains all the answers we need to know in order to navigate through seemingly complex life and business landscapes. Think and lead with your heart.

4. Find your niche: Each one of us can do something in a certain way that is better than anyone else in the world. So is the business we create. Finding out or even creating a niche that we can be best in the world at is one of the keys to business success. It takes experimentation and refinement, and sometimes failures. See it as an evolving process to define and refine your core signature on earth.

5. Create value and impact: According to the Law of Compensation, each person is compensation in like matter for that which he or she has contributed. To build a successful business, we need to be a value creator, constantly thinking of ways to increase the value of our contribution to the markets and communities we serve, and create a culture that is based on love and service.

6. Become a hub: Relationships are everything in life and business. The ability to cultivate and build long lasting and mutually beneficial relationships is invaluable. It takes time, energy and conscious efforts. Become a hub or at least an invaluable link in the web of relationships that make up your industries and communities.

7. Pay your dues: There is an incubation period for a seed to grow into a healthy tree bearing fruits. It takes patience, consistent and persistent efforts to build a successful business. We need to put in our hours, energies and resources to create it, build it and grow it. This is given. If we are doing what we love, then why in such a hurry!

A hero's journey begins from within, and extends out to those around us. Our business is an extension of who we are. It is a vehicle for us to fulfill our purpose and live our ideal. We are all heroes, writing our own journeys on earth. How would you like your journey to be written?

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Related Forum Posts
Re: Hi there! I'm Shanuna Cortez - Welcome Shanuna to the club. We will like you to post and let us know more about British Entrepreneurship Society
Re: Hello everyone! - Hi Michelle, Welcome to the club. You will find all the information you need on Entrepreneurship here. What are your business?
Re: Success - I study success intently, and would like to share: Here's two excellent and nearly identical success-formulas from a couple of the world's masters. FIRST FORMULA: 1. Passionate Desire 2. Clear, Definite Purpose 3. Committed Decision 4. Take Action In Faith (Bonus Secret Sauce: 5. Repeat Consistently) I made a video about this, but am not allowed to link it yet. Google "Ryze Success Steps" for it. Oh, and this is Napoleon Hill's (Master Of Success Laws)'s Formula. SECOND FORMULA: 1. Passionate Desire 2. Understand It Is Already Done (Faith) 3. Relax & Allow It To Unfold (Go about your life calmly) This one is courtesy of Abraham-Hicks (inspiration for the movie The Secret). Hope that helps!
What's your Calling? - I was watching BIOgraphy channel last night and they were showcasing Fidel Castro. Fidel at a very young age new he was destined to be an icon of leadership. Through his experiences and risks he took he created this space for himself to enter. To the Young entrepreneurs here - what was your calling into Entrepreneurship? what compelled you to believe that this area of education and adventure was your calling? Was it the media? Was it Family? Was it the lemonade stand you started and while earning those quarters say to yourself "imagine if I had two of these stands - I'd make twice as much!" I'd like to know...
Re: Why do people hate Network Marketing / MLM? - You make a great point abotu the sales industry GT. Unfortunately, sales businesses have a really high attrition rate. From car salesmen to real estate or insurance agents, anywhere from 60-80% (depending on the chosen market) fail and quit without ever making a single sale. Since most people think of MLM as a sales business, it's no wonder the attrition rate is that high or higher. The fact is, MLM is NOT a sales business. It's a PEOPLE business, or more specifically, a Coaching and mentoring business. As for an example, I do have one, as you would expect. But, rather than pitching my company here, I would suggest learning the basics of what makes a successful mlm company. A mentor of mine, Michael Dlouhy developed the 5 Pillars to Network Marketing. If the company has all 5 pillars, you can almost guarantee success. If not, the chances are not good. Michael developed this over 20 years ago. He knew MLM could work, but had no luck himself. SO, he joined over 100 companies in under 2 years just so he could compare and see what worked, and what didn't. Bottom line, you need a 5 pillars company if you hope to be successful. Bill


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