Do you think about the force that drives your protoplasm around; the keeper of your courage; the only thing that’s different about identical twins?
You know – your spirit.
Everyone should be conscious of their spirit, but it’s essential for entrepreneurs.
In his beautiful book, Eternal Echoes, my friend, the late John O’Donohue spoke to entrepreneurs: “When you open your heart to discovery you will be called to step outside of your comfort barriers; you will be called to risk old views and thoughts. But your spirit loves the danger of growth.”
Let’s consider a few of John’s words.
Discovery
As a small business owner you “open your heart to discovery” every day. You discover that vision, hard work and planning have produced a new customer, a little more profit, or that you just might make it another year.
Sometimes discoveries aren’t pleasant: An employee doesn’t show up, equipment breaks down or you lose a customer.
Challenging discoveries are no respecter of businesses, large or small. But they hit a small business harder because there are fewer spirits, bodies and assets to absorb the shock.
John O. would say your success lies in the ability to “open your heart to discovery.” Do you dread problems, or can you turn a challenge into an opportunity? The answer to that question may depend on how well you discover and use the power of your spirit.
Comfort Barriers
These offer protection, but they can also hold you back. The same wall that protects you from the world can also keep you from engaging the world.
You may have fewer surprises and dangers inside your comfort barriers, but opportunity is a camper; it likes to be outside. Indeed, when opportunity comes a-knocking, it knocks on your front gate, not your door. You have to get up off your backside and meet it out in the street. In the marketplace.
Listen to your spirit when it tells you to step outside your comfort barriers and camp out with opportunity. And remember this wisdom from John Shedd, “A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships were built for.”
Growth
O’Donohue said our spirit “loves the danger of growth.” Sometimes growth can be dangerous, but more often, not growing is riskier.
You can either be courageous or a weenie. Your spirit sees the power of courage in the marketplace, while the weenie in you sees the chance of failure. Your spirit says, “Let’s make something happen,” while the weenie in you craves comfort. Knowing how to manage these two forces is crucial to success in small business.
Write this on a rock … There’s a reason some things are fundamental. They work – every time.