Pretty Smart Fortune, Cookie!
Sometimes, the most vexing problem is solved with simplicity. Consider this: after a delicious Chinese dinner last Saturday, I cracked open my fortune cookie to find the following: "Success comes with self-awareness". Pretty smart, those cookies! This seems like a simple concept and yet, it is a powerful statement; powerful because self-awareness is a key to self-acknowledgment, appreciation, empowerment, and accomplishment. With self-awareness comes personal pride; the awareness that you possess a unique bundle of gifts, values and strengths to help guide your choices. And with self-awareness, you'll find a remarkable tool to help you resolve challenges you may be facing as a new business owner.
In a recent article, I offered a list of tips to help reduce the stress from transitions and changes, wanted or otherwise. Certainly, considering the leap to business ownership can be stressful. It may call into question how good we are in our profession, what we know, our reputation, what we can offer, our list of accomplishments. All these questions call for reflection - on our values, strengths, dreams and priorities.
So where does self-awareness come into play here? It can give you a strong benchmark for the important attributes you seek as part of the business you're crafting. Of course you have ideas of the income, industry, and benefits you want. What else is intrinsically important to you? What other factors will have an effect on how well you do or grow with your next enterprise? If your own self-awareness does not guide the answers to these questions you will not be happy - and very possibly not successful (however you define that word). If you're answering my questions by using the success measuring-tape of a parent, spouse, neighbor, or TV commercial, you're headed for a stressful showdown with yourself. Only by knowing and accepting what's truly important for you can you find it - on the job or anywhere else in your life. Success comes with self-awareness.
Here's a checklist of items - circumstances and opportunities that may be meaningful for you when weighing your move into business ownership. Judge them by the following: 'not important' and 'important'. Then assign a value to the important features on a 1-5 basis. Once you acknowledge which are crucial, you'll be able to make an informed choice in the search process that honors who you are and what you value. Success comes with self-awareness.
Business Considerations
Do I enjoy my work?
Do I enjoy the field?
Is the money good?
Am I likely to enjoy a good relationship with colleagues in this field?
Am I challenged to grow?
Is my workplace supportive of my efforts and ideas?
Am I doing things I'm good at?
Do I know what I'm expected to produce?
Do I have a clear vision for my business?
Am I encouraging others to express ideas?
Is my contribution to my business acknowledged?
Do I know my personal strengths?
Are these strengths used on the job?
Personal Considerations
Do I have to leave my integrity at the door each morning?
Are my personal values expressed in my work?
Time for my social life?
Do I like the work location?
Am I OK with the commute?
Do I like my personal workspace?
Do I enjoy the degree of interaction at work?
Do I enjoy the content of my work?
Do I feel good about my colleagues?
Do I get the kind of benefits or extras I value?
Do I feel safe & secure?
Do I have appropriate health benefits?
Retirement benefits?
How did you do? Some of these considerations may be deal-breakers for you, others may be nice but not top of your list. We all have different priorities and only you can gauge what must be available for your ideal situation. Reflect on who you are and what you value - that 'self-awareness' thing again - and incorporate those elements into your ideal business description. If the ones that are top of your list don't exist in the business you are considering, strong compensating factors must be present to make this opportunity one that will add value to your life. And don't kid yourself. Adding value to your life is the bottom line of any decision you make.
Andrea Feinberg, M.B.A., Certified S.B.L. Coach is a small business marketing coach. Andrea helps small business make more money by day and sleep better at night by maximizing the
untapped potential they have in their business right now. For more information and a copy of her free report "The Number #1 Marketing Tip", please visit http://www.coachinginsight.com/contact.asp
She welcomes your comments at 631.642.7434 or andrea@coachinginsight.com
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