The Balance of Success

What is it?

One of the best books I've read about entrepreneurship is "The Monk and the Riddle" by Randy Komisar. In it, one of the ideas he talks about is success. More specifically, what, it is. Through my time in helping entrepreneurs I have found this definition to be true. It's not tied to money or status. But instead it's something else. True success, as defined by myself and Randy, is finding the balance between drive that pushes you forward, and purpose that pulls you.

Drive:

This is all about momentum. The force that pushes you as an entrepreneur to move forward. The road to entrepreneurship and success is a slippery one. So drive allows you to persevere even when it seems like the odds are against you. Sometimes this has a focus, and sometimes it doesn't.

Think of the little engine that could. That train was filled with drive. This indomitable spirit that continues to push forward, despite the world and the odds stacked against him.

Purpose:

Much more intangible. Much more difficult to find. But just as important as the drive that pushes you. Purpose is the pull. It's the compass. The thing that makes sure you're facing in the right direction so that the drive can help get you there. Too often entrepreneurs, and people, will throw themselves into overdrive without a sense of direction. This is what leads to burnout and disengagement .

Understanding this purpose can be hard to do. Especially in a world that is so filled with communication and confusion. It takes introspection. Real reflection in understanding who you are. That's the first step to understanding who you want to be.

You acquire with drive. You inspire with purpose.

Finding your Balance:

Easier said than done, right? But there is a way to do it. It ties in with one of the key strengths that entrepreneurs need to develop. They need to listen. Not just to their customers, but to themselves.

This is a process. The process of self reflection and self realization. It's not something we feel comfortable in doing. We spend most of our time thinking about external factors. What the world is doing around us. But the process for success starts within.

Most entrepreneurs don't start with a balance. In fact, they normally start out totally skewed to one side or the other. They have drive that keeps them going forward. Even without knowing where they want to go. It's normally because they have to.

And then there's the entrepreneur who is the opposite. They know what they want to do and why they want to do it. It speaks to them on a very personal level. But their drive, their ability / knowledge to get it done just isn't there.

So take a look in yourself. Can you be real? Where do you need help? The good news is that the first step is awareness. And now, hopefully, you're aware.

Go out and find your balance.