Why do you want to start a business?

Keep the end in mind

In this post, I talk about the importance of keeping the end in mind when starting a business.

If you don't want to start a business, and you're just here for some innovative marketing tips, maybe this article isn't for you. If, on the other hand, you've decided to start a business then read on!

Do the words short-term security mean anything to you? If so starting a business might not be right for you. Are there other goals that are important to you? Work life balance? Providing Jobs? How about being your own boss? Maybe starting a business will help you reach your goals. 

Next week we're going to talk about setting long-term goals, so that'll be a more practical look at setting goals for yourself. But it's important, even before you start to write down some of your goals, to think about why you want to start a business.

Why do you want to start a business?

Everybody's reasons for wanting to start a business are different. One person's dream job is someone else's nightmare.

My wife and I have talked a lot about our goals in life and why we wanted to start Storyline Visual. A huge factor in our decision has been flexibility.

We are going to homeschool our kids. Being able to partner with my wife for our kids' education is important to me. I want to be able to take the time to go on field trips with my family. Travel is a big part of our life as well. I am looking forward to taking my kids to amazing places around the world.

I perform best when I get to decide how hard I want to work and how much I make for the effort I put in. For the initial months and years of starting a business, it can feel like bleeding money. If the business is structured right, that can change. We are working towards a business we can make money while not sacrificing our principles and the things we value most. 

Use your goals to filter your business decisions through

We have had our end goals in mind while we structure the business. Everything from scheduling, to the prices we charge, to the types of customers we reach out to, are all filtered through our priorities. 

Take the times before starting your business to decide why you want to start it in the first place. Make decisions through the filter of where you want to go. Otherwise, five to ten years down the road, you may have a thriving business that is stealing the areas of your life you value most. 

An exercise to keep the end in mind. 

This week, write one page about why you want to start a business. Don't take a long time; this part isn't about having a clear thought but getting ideas out of your head. Then write a paragraph that clarifies the page. Next, write down 3-5 bullet points that summarize where you want your business to be in five years. 

It is never too late to start being intentional with your life and your business. Whether your business is 20 years old or not even conceived yet, keep the end in mind. 

Joseph Lewin