How to Find or Regain Focus, Energy, & Remain Inspired As An Entrepreneur

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

Why does your business exist, beyond simply making a profit? What do you want your impact or legacy to be in the world? What is your WHY?  

Being able to answer these questions is important because it's hard to expend your life's energies on a compromise, and success is an inside job. There is not enough motivation in the world (books, podcasts, videos, seminars, etc.) to feed you and push you to achieve your best life. At some point you have to identify the values, beliefs, and ideas that give you energy. You need to have a well to pull from that will propel you forward before the recognition; create accountability when people are not looking; and push you to be excellent before the rewards become apparent. 

Answering these questions will also help you frame your value proposition to the rest of the world. They will help you determine how you show up at an initial meet up, at networking events, when you give an elevator pitch, and how you accentuate your value to the world via social media and elsewhere. They are essential to helping you attract your tribe: the business partners you will eventually work with; your ideal clients; and those who are willing to support and advocate for you when you're not in the room. 

And just as important, answering these questions will help you stay focused on your focus. I've read that a light bulb and a laser use and produce the same amount of energy. However, the light bulb’s energy illuminates, but dissipates into a space. Whereas, a laser's energy is focused, and can cut through, chisel, and curate the environment around it. When you're flying from project to project, and you lack focus, you'll find very often that while the calendar moves, you haven't moved or progressed any further toward your goals.

Additionally, you are unable to resonate with your tribe, because people don’t know WHO or WHAT you are from day to day, and therefore you fail repeatedly to gain the traction (trust) and momentum (social evidence) required to push your business endeavors forward. There's a hidden inertia that exists in business, akin to pushing a 5000 lb vehicle. In the beginning it's tough, but once the wheels get rolling you and those observing you may begin to marvel about how easily you're able to achieve progress. Inertia allows you to accomplish more, attract more, and invest more in your endeavors as opposed to being bogged down with the psychological strain of surviving day to day. 

So, how do you begin? This is an abbreviated version of a questionnaire I typically distribute to clients who are in the start up phase of their businesses, or entrepreneurs who need a hard reset. The questions are designed to help you identify and answer the following questions?

And by the way, if you like the appetizer, and desire a deeper dive, reach out to me using the contact information at the end of this article to schedule an appointment. 

• Why does my business exist?
• What are my core services? 
• What are my competitive advantages? 

 WHAT ARE MY CORE VALUES? One way to answer this question is to ask yourself, what are your key principles? What are the issues or matters that matter the most to you? What are the things you'd draw the line in the sand for? Fight for? Sacrifice for?

If you could describe the culture of your organization you’re building in 3 to 5 words what would they be? Take a moment and think about the professionals or individuals you respect most, and ask yourself what characteristics do they embody? For example: 

• financial independence
• legacy
• professionalism
• uplifting service
• providers for their family and community
• unabashed accountability
• absolute commitment
• passionate about having fun
• constant learning & growing
• entrepreneurship is empowerment
• longevity and forever relevant

WHAT IS MY CORE FOCUS? One way of answering this question is to ask why does my business exist? What is the purpose, cause, or passion? Once again, choose only 3 - 5 (less is more). For example:

• to help people live, lives of satisfaction through entrepreneurship
• to help women overcome financial, relationship, & emotional distress
• to help men adopt & sustain healthy mindsets
• to be a highly effective change agent
• help people achieve agency & control of the lives
• to serve the best, most smacking waffles ever known
• to use my art to make people smile and forget their worries

WHAT IS MY NICHE? Or who do I want to serve? Be specific. What is the one thing you believe you can do better than anyone else? For example:

• make complex ideas easy to understand
• provide actionable content for entrepreneurs
• write compelling marketing content
• provide start ups with the most comprehensive, affordable tools to grow their businesses
• help single african american men navigate (step by step) fatherhood 
• helping distressed property owners avoid foreclosure
• provide healthy catering alternatives for diabetics
• coach people to become their best selves
• help people improve the performance in quantifiable steps  

WHERE DO I WANT MY BUSINESS OR WHAT DO I WANT MY BUSINESS TO BE 5 YEARS FROM NOW? Be specific. For example:

• to have 3000 clients who regularly refer at least 10 clients yearly 
• to own 20,000 family units & 500 multiplexes 
• to generate $10,000,000 in insurance premium yearly 
• to help 520 families achieve financial independence annually  

WHAT ARE MY 3 UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS THAT SET ME OR US APART? What are your guarantees? 

• we are an organization of entrepreneurs, serving entrepreneurs
• we guarantee funding or a 100% refund
• we provide uplifting service and exceed our clients expectations 
• we invest in our people
• we get what you do 
• your priorities are our priorities 
• we guarantee delivery in 2 days or a 50% refund

This condensed version of my business questionnaire should be a great start. And as always, I look forward to learning what is most important to you at whatever stage of your business you may be in, what you're taking aim at, and sharing additional information. 

Let's connect https://bit.ly/JuJuanBufordOfficial

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment

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JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

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