3 Steps to Discovering Your Purpose, Setting Your Mindset, and Getting to Launch

I hear from people all the time who feel stuck in the 9 to 5 and want to start a business, but they have no idea how to get there. The first thing I ask them?

What do you love? 

What are you good at? 

So many people cannot truly grasp how many of the things they love can actually be a thriving career. Believe me, I get it. Never in a million years did I think my decorating and DIY craft hobbies could turn into a 7-figure business. We are all programmed to follow the formal steps to a corporate career. You go to school, graduate, find a job, and work to get that promotion. The good news is that you CAN build a business based around your passions, but it is going to take some thinking outside the box.

Here’s 3 steps to discovering your purpose, setting your mindset and getting to launch: 

1. Get out a pen and paper. That’s right. You’ll need to physically sit down and write two lists. The first one is going to be a list of things you are passionate about. Don’t even think about how that will translate to a business in this first step, just list everything that comes to mind that you truly enjoy and love to do. Next, make a list of things that you are good at. Write it all out on a piece of paper. When you compare the lists, what do you see? Now it’s time to brainstorm on what you all of this could potentially mean.
2. Join a mastermind group or find a network of like-minded people. I joined a coaching group about a year and a half into my business. It made all the difference.  When I started to hear what other people were doing, and I saw how these businesses were making money, it changed my mindset. I started to think outside of the box about how my talents could translate into revenue streams. Being a part of these conversations made my dreams more tangible and within my reach.
3. Be ready to invest. I’m not necessarily talking about money. I started my business with nothing. No loans, no big chunk of money. I started at $0. I invested a little bit of my own money, but by and large, the investment was time, even though I didn’t really have it. It really comes down to wanting your business so much that you will do anything to achieve it.  What are you willing to sacrifice to make your dream a reality? This might be starting slowly as a side-hustle or even just sacrificing small things like dinner out in order to pay for your web host. If your desire to be an entrepreneur is strong enough, you will find a way to make it happen.

Set Boundaries and Clearly Define Your Goals

Once you’ve determined your purpose, it’s important to set clear goals on what you want your business and life to look like. Remember, when it comes to your business, you set the rules. There are also tons of other considerations you’ll want to make once you’ve set your mindset. For instance, I’ve found that there’s a lot of flexibility in owning and running online-only businesses. Once you’ve done the initial groundwork and hired people to help out in marketing, shipping and other capacities, pretty much everything else can be done on the go. I plan things ahead so that my free time is mine. And if my team really needs me, everything can be accessed from a smartphone.

Many people dream of becoming entrepreneurs for the freedom they’ll have, only to be constantly consumed by their business. The truth is that the key is keeping everything balanced, and not being afraid to hire help when your business grows. The good news? When your work is something that you love, and that you’re just so passionate about, you wake up each morning excited for the day. It doesn’t feel like work.

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Written by Brooke Riley.