Stop this vicious cycle now

One of our community members, Selena Soo, invited me to speak to (her group) dozens of successful entrepreneurs this week.

Selena asked me at the end of my talk: “What’s an important question to ask to avoid making big mistakes?”

I said, "Know your driving force."

In other words, what motivates you to do what you're doing?

After running my businesses and coaching many others, I feel good about going out on a limb and saying most owners are unaware of their motivators. Or, they're not honest.

If we don't know our driving force, we risk extending ourselves beyond our limits emotionally, financially, mentally, etc.

Why do we burn out?
Why do we say yes when we want to say no?
Why do we keep a business we (secretly) don't like?
Why do we do things that rob us of joy rather than give it?

There is a driving force behind all that.

Do you know yours?

I sat across from an entrepreneur earlier this week who ran a 160MM real estate portfolio (according to him, not verified-but I trust him). Times got tough, and he left the business, separating from his partners.

His goal now...he said... "I want to make as much money as possible."

Stopped in my tracks, I asked him why, and he stumbled to give a clear answer.

When I pressed him, he said it was because he didn't grow up with money and didn't want ever to be broke again.

We see the world through two worldviews.

Scarcity or Abundance

The majority of my entrepreneurial journey was from scarcity. I always thought I needed more. My primary driver? Fear. Fear of not having enough and fear of not being enough. A dangerous combo that unconsciously drove me.

The evidence was quite the opposite. I had everything I needed and more. Much, much more.

How was I still living in a scarcity worldview even though I had abundance coming out of my ears?

My subconscious motivators never changed.

Subconscious Motivators

A subconscious motivator is a motivator we're unaware of that was formed before now. It's likely early in life. Here's the wild thing: If we lack awareness and continually ruminate about our lack (not being enough, not having enough), we will stay in that perpetual state. Therefore, it’s our reality.

Why?

We become what we think about (according to a lot of science). We live in a vicious cycle and don't even know it. That’s the cycle that needs to stop.

It's manifested by a drive and motivation that we need clarification on.

That's a large part of why successful people continue to work beyond their limits. They are unaware of their driving force, which is rooted in pain and trauma.

I've spent the last couple of years unwrapping that barbed wire myself.

Enough and Abundance

I'm working to live from an abundance worldview (internal and external), seeing oneself as enough and that they have enough.

Are my needs met today? I have enough.
Do I have more than what I need? That's abundance.

We have become super consumers in the last few decades. We have so much abundance in the West that waste is a big problem.

Yet we slave and toil like we're going to run out. WILD.

Figure out your driving force by asking why you want [fill in the blank]—asking why enough times will root it out (if we're honest).

Could the cause be a scarcity worldview: internal and external?

Either I'm not enough; therefore, I need a Lambo to prove I am.
Or, I don't have enough; consequently, I need to hoard cash, materials, etc.

I'm fascinated by the words of Jesus, who said, "Consider the ravens; they don't sow or reap. They don't have storehouses or barns, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you?”

Recognizing that we have enough may change the rate at which we work and what we pursue.

Instead of "getting as much as possible," maybe our work can become more meaningful. From the perspective of doing what's truly important to us, and that can help other people prosper.

Or we don’t sacrifice so many other good things in life for “getting as much as possible.”

Today, I encourage you to consider your driving force to stop a potentially damaging vicious cycle of “as much as possible.”

I appreciate you allowing me to examine these ideas.

What do you think about all this? Write back or hit the poll below. I read all the comments. ;)

Much love,

Chris