We’re on the 2nd in our series on Purpose and Passion in your business (last week we looked at your Primary Aim).  This week we’re going in depth into values and motivation and Why We Do What We Do.

Most small business owners don’t take the time to ask themselves why they do what they do.  In fact, I would guess that most people haven’t examined their motivation for the choices they make in career or business.  Of course there are some things you know about yourself – you like to be your own boss or you like freedom in your schedule, maybe you’re really creative and your business is your outlet or you like to create teams.  But have you ever asked yourself why you like those things?

You probably didn’t sit down and write up a list of important values when you were a kid and then took the actions necessary to create that career.  Instead you took a job and found you really enjoyed being creative so that ended up on the list.  And then you took another job and found you really didn’t like being told when to be where and so freedom to make your own schedule was added the list.  And so on down the line.

And this list is operating on the subconscious level in every decision we make.  It is there when we decide on a new marketing plan and when we are hiring a new employee.  It is there when our business is struggling and it is there when our business is flourishing.  So it would benefit you to know what those values are and how they motivate you.

The “what” part is relatively easy.  Ask yourself “What is important to me in my business, what motivates me, what gets me out of bed in the morning?”  And begin to make a list.  Most lists are about 10-12 items long (though yours could be a little shorter or a little longer).  Keep it simple.  “Creativity” is a simple and precise answer and you probably know what that means to you.  

Then number them.  1 being most important and on down the line.  Trust your first impulse and if you get stuck just compare them – If I had Freedom but didn’t have Creativity how would that feel?  Then ask – If I had Creativity but didn’t have Freedom how would that feel?  It will become clear which is more important to you.

Now comes the most important part.  Ask yourself “Why is this important to me?”  And then notice the language you use. If you stated only positive responses (it feels good, I get excited, etc) then that value motivates you toward inspiration.  If you stated only negative responses (I don’t want to be told what to do, I’m not happy unless . . .  I don’t want to be poor, etc) then that value motivates you away from discomfort.  Some answers may be a combination of both (I get energized and I don’t like too much structure).

You see you make some choices in your businesses because you really feel inspired to move in that direction.  Maybe it’s a new product or a marketing idea or even how you feel when you have a good team around you.  Whatever it is, when you are inspired then you will feel like working on that part of your business whether it is easy or challenging.  You will always be motivated to make it happen.

You also make some choices in your business because you don’t want something bad to happen.  Maybe you won’t allow your income to fall below a certain level or you want to make sure to never hire an accountant without references again.  Whatever it is, when you are motivated from fear or discomfort then you will get uneven results in your business.  Mostly because as soon as you feel comfortable then that value is no longer important to you and you are no longer motivated to take action.

You see if your previous partner cheated on you, you wouldn’t get into business with the first person who came along who you knew wouldn’t cheat, because that person probably won’t have other qualities that are just, if not more, important to your success and happiness.  So you don’t want to be making a decision about the long-term success of your business because you don’t want to feel uncomfortable.

Finally let’s talk briefly about your relationship with money.  If money (or some version of financial success) isn’t on your values list, I would guess that you are struggling financially.  Either your business doesn’t make enough or you spend more than you make.  Also, if money is on the list but you want it because you don’t want to be poor, then you will also struggle financially.  

Ideally you want to create a values list that makes you feel good and motivates you consistently over time.  So take the time to clean up any old, negative emotions around your business.  Let go of the anger, sadness, fear and guilt.  And create an inspiring vision of what is possible for you.