What is your CORNERSTONE IDEA?

Last Friday I spent a whole day with a group of IDEApreneuers working on their TEDx talks.

I am PASSIONATE about Ideas, Entrepreneurship and the PROCESS of Clarifying, Strategizing and helping businesses have a larger impact in the world. I love helping my clients CLARIFY their CORNERSTONE IDEA and prepare the TALK OF THEIR LIVES! 

As one of my clients, once said, “If you are running a business, then you MUST FIRST write your TEDx talk– (whether you deliver it or not.)  It becomes the FOUNDATION of your business.”

Halfway through the workshop, I was checking in with the participants as I always do when presenting. One had a big smile on her face as she said:  “You just gave me permission to bring my HEART and my passion back into my business.”  

She explained how the process of growing her business can sometimes be overwhelming– but she had just realized that all she has to do is stay connected with her PASSION as she takes the necessary steps to succeed.

Her compliment stayed with me and made me think about the journey of launching and running a business. I see many entrepreneurs who get discouraged and disheartened. They begin to dream of a full-time job as a diversion or escape.  (Trust me, I’ve been there too!)

Running a business requires BOTH sides of the brain!  The left, which is logical, analytical, strategic and the right– the creative, passionate, intuitive side.

Many times, in an attempt to “do things right” or “push hard” entrepreneurs forget to honor their right side– and they lose their CONNECTION to their IDEA. They lose the capacity to feel inspired, moved, driven and motivated by the idea that started their business.

So today I want to remind you WHY you need to bring your HEART back into your business if you want to reach those stretch goals:

• Speaking: Nothing is more powerful than someone who presents their product or service with passion and a clear conviction of its value proposition.
• Networking: Who wants to connect with someone who does not love the work they are doing? Nothing is more attractive than someone who lights up when they talk about their work.
• Customer Relations & Product Development: If you are passionate about what you do and the impact your business has in the world– then you are passionate about the experience your market has with your product or service!  You are more likely to be engaged in continuous improvement, development, creative thinking and better servicing that experience for your customers.

This all sounds wonderful– but if you can’t find your HEART anywhere in your office, then my best advice is to start with: WHY?