What is entrepreneurship all about? Is it about the money? Or the tax benefits? Or the freedom to work for yourself? Or is it about something more, like becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be? Many people feel as though entrepreneurship is all about being able to succeed in business all through your own hard work. While this is more of a solopreneur definition, this definitely applies to the majority of entrepreneurs.
In the Huffington Post article, “Self-Transfromation Through Entrepreneurship”, by serial entrepreneur Jen Groover, we are reminded that, when approached correctly, entrepreneurship it is a transformative endeavor that can change us down to our very core. “As an entrepreneur, you should be in a constant state of personal growth,” Groover writes. “Launching yourself out into space with nothing but a wing, a prayer, an idea and a business plan. Being this far outside your comfort zone will change who you are and how you live more completely than any self-help program, religious conversion, or psychotherapy.” Entrepreneurs are forever taking risks on new ideas that they think have potential, for example they could think that Etoro’s App could be a gateway into stock market investment, but they have to be bold when it comes to giving it a go.
Groover’s advice ties right in with the claims Daniel Pink makes in his new book, Drive, which explores what motivates us. I’m only a couple chapters in, but already Pink is building a convincing case for why Motivation 2.0 (a.k.a. the carrot and the stick model, i.e., reward good behavior, punish bad) no longer applies to our way of life because people need more than just money to motivate them. They need to feel a sense of purpose.
So as you think about taking a big, courageous step towards your dreams, keep your sense of purpose and your vision of who you want to become at the core of your journey. Reading some of Salesforce‘s fantastic content might help some of you along your way. Because, as Groover say, “That’s what entrepreneurs do: they change the world by changing themselves first.”
Has anyone out there experienced the transformational power of entrepreneurship? If so, please share!
I have always admired the entrepreneurs in my life, like my brother, or my friends who are entrepreneurs. I always wanted to be an entrepreneur but lacked the courage. Now, for the first time, I am dipping my little toe into the pool and seeing how it goes. One of my dreams would be to figure out a way to be an entrepreneur as a full-time career, which means that it brings in enough cash to support me without the need for a ‘regular’ job.