MODERN ENTREPRENEUR mission becomes aligned to our business , which happens because as business owners or CEO ’ s we are very focused in making our companies become successful , which often is all consuming .
A good place to start The first step is about slowing down and taking time out to picture and identify what legacy you would like to leave behind . This is not something most entrepreneurs and leaders find easy - moving from the ‘ head ’ or left brain space of numbers , KPIs , big goals and business dreams to the ‘ heart ’ and using right part of the brain to draw out our creative , feeling and sensitive side . Brainstorming with those closest to you and spending time alone on a beach or walking up a mountain are important parts of the process , but for most , this will not help them get past the great ideas and dreaming stage . If you want to get serious , hiring a suitably skilled mentor or coach who can guide you and help you to document your thoughts and ideas and develop them into a plan could well be a masterstroke and a game changer - it certainly was for me !
What ’ s the downside or cost ? Whilst it ’ s very exhilarating and exciting once you work out your Life Mission or Purpose , before stepping out will need to consider the implications for all stakeholders . You will need to ascertain whether your current business or career will help you achieve and live out your life ’ s mission , otherwise some tough decisions will need to be made . It was not until I hit a crisis at a personal level with my health , relationships and beliefs , that I took time out to decide what was really more important - my family or my company ’ s objectives . As I stopped to reflect , I did not like what I ’ d become , which was a success-driven workaholic who had big plans at work but little energy and time left to give to my personal life , family and community . Hence for some of us its the opposite we would have incurred an even bigger cost if we had not aligned our business to our personal mission and life plan .
Tangible benefits Whilst I went through several years trying to gain clarity on my life mission , once I discovered it I was very excited . I had so much more energy and joy when I decided that my life mission was going to drive my life and my business would serve my new life plan . This was what
motivated me to inspire our network and employees to set up and fund an orphanage in Thailand , which was something I would not have thought of if I had not aligned my business to my life mission . At a personal level over a period of time a major health issue I had disappeared and relationships significantly improved , I spent more quality time with my family and intentionally decided to allocate time and give back to my local and overseas communities .
In an increasingly transparent 24 / 7 society , business people have the awesome opportunity to impact their employees , suppliers , clients and communities , with heart felt and high aspirational life mission objectives which can create a better world for all to live in . If your business ( or career ) is not aligned to your life purpose or mission , embarking on this new journey could be the game changer you have been possibly even desperately , looking for !
John Sikkema is a Philanthropist , Thought Leader , Entrepreneur , author of ‘ Enriched ’ re-defining wealth and Executive Chairman of Halftime Australia , inspiring leaders to live their life purpose now . Visit www . halftime . org . au for more information .
September 2016 ModernBusiness 61