TGIF

I've had the opportunity over the last couple weeks to talk to some amazing entrepreneurs. Varied backgrounds, business models, thought processes, and visions. Out of the many discussions (read semi-interrogation sessions) the conclusion that I'm coming to is that there is an illustrious and picturesque concept surrounding 'entrepreneurship'. It's magical--wonderful, even in it's obsession about the 'grind', the hustle, it's thrilling, adrenaline rushing, wowmazing sort of a ride.

And in practice? It is just that. Kind of.
That wowmazing rush? The thrill? About 2% of the process. 98% is grunt, pain in the butt, sometimes mind-numbing, often frustrating, push you to your limits, kind of work.

With that being said...when it's right, when you're passionate about what you're doing, on where it's taking you, that 2%? That 2% makes the 98% one-hundred percent worthwhile*.
*(This is a concept from Darren Hardy's 'The Entrepreneurship Roller Coaster)

I've heard so many authors and speakers preach the need to love what you do. But at it's core, the truly successful aren't telling you to love what you do, because 98% of it is going to suck. They're telling you that you need to love why you do it, not what you're specifically doing. Because if you're in love with why, not only is that 2% a ridiculous adrenaline rushing high that you're virtually addicted to, but it gives a reason and a purpose behind the remaining 98%.

3.5 years into my own journey...I have to agree. When I've focused on the mechanics of what I'm doing I stalled out a lot. The reality is that I don't really love a lot of pieces of what I is required to be successful. But I'm obsessed with why I do it. When I focus on that, getting through a lot of the muck really isn't all that bad. Pushing myself to my limits and tenuously navigating areas that aren't strengths for me is all worth the end goal.

I was going to end this by talking about the 98% I have to get through tonight, but that's not really the purpose of this blog. Yes, it's to catalog my experiences, but, I made it to help people move themselves forward. The most critical turning point for me in my development was being able to understand why I wanted to do anything in life. If you're struggling with that, try Simon Sinek's "Start with Why" from a concept stand point to grasp why this whole 'why' thing is so important. John Maxwell's "3 Things Successful People Do" is a great workbook as well. It will take you a some time to get through if you're actively engaging with it.

I didn't figure it out over night. Well, I mean, I came up with something pretty quick, but it was a pretty surface level why, but it was a starting ground. And you have to start somewhere. Even if it isn't great, start with something. I kept going back to reshape and re-evaluate as I personally developed.

Your why, in it's simplest explanation is your life's mission statement. So #TGIF, get your grind and your self-discovery on. Start doing the work most people aren't willing to do so you can create a life that most people will never live.

TGIF