Ever Feel Overwhelmed by Starting Your Innerpreneurial Business?

by | Jul 16, 2008 | My Journey | What's On My Mind

I’ve been populating this blog for about 3 weeks now and I there is still so much more to be done. It is exciting to be in this stage of my business, to just be starting but it is also scary and overwhelming. My vision for Elastic Mind and this blog becomes clearer and clearer every day but as the vision grows so do the ideas. And as the ideas grow so does the To Do list. There is so much I want to do that I wonder if I will ever have time for it all.

Staying focused

The problem with me is that I am my own harshest critic. Nothing I ever produce professionally is every good enough for me. Even now, as I build this blog, I have it hidden so the public can’t see. When I finally make it available you can bet that I will think it’s crap, regardless of its true value. This may be the oxymoron that is me. I am believe in myself deeply but at the same time I am a perfectionist and never think my work is good enough. How can I balance the two and stay focused?

Things to Remember

There are a few things I remind myself of whenever the pressure I put on myself to get Elastic Mind launched (and yes, I am the ONLY one putting pressure on myself):

  • The journey is the best part. Stop worrying about getting there. I’ll be there soon enough.
  • There’s no rush. I work on Elastic Mind (I am including this blog under the heading of Elastic Mind) for at least seven hours a day. I’m doing all I can.
  • It’ll all work out. If I believe what I preach then following my passion will lead me to the success I desire.

There is, of course, doubt, that wolf in sheep’s clothing, that wanders into the room every once in a while and gets me down too. To beat him, I remind myself that I don’t have to succeed at this, that the point of it all is just to try. Again, it’s the journey! Never forget that.

I’m Becoming More Social

by | Jul 10, 2008 | My Journey | What's On My Mind

I dislike FaceBook

Being someone who works in online marketing and whose job is to stay on top of internet trends, you’d think that I would love social media and all that it has to offer. In reality, I have less of an interest in using it than the average person my age (I am the ripe old age of 26). Now that I think of it, it isn’t all social media that I snicker at, it is social networking sites. FaceBook is my prime enemy.

I love some social media

I see the value in writing a blog (both for your own personal development and that of your business), using eBay to purchase items on the cheap, storing your bookmarks on Delicious and uploading your pictures to Flickr (though I don’t have an account). My issue is socializing for socializing’s sake. Even in high school, when you are at your greatest capabilities for idle chatter, I shied away from it. Granted, I am now realizing that I am a bit of an anomaly. I am much less social, in the traditional sense, than most people. I am a classic introvert. I’d rather be in my head or speaking with one other person than participate in anything group related.

The Big Plung

But with the creation of Elastic Mind and this blog, I am wondering if there is value in me becoming more social. It isn’t my natural inclination by any means but it could be good for business. For once, I’m not going to do what I want, I’m going to do what is expected. I’ve signed myself up for Digg, StumbleUpon and updated my LinkedIn profile. I’m drawing the line at FaceBook and MySpace.

I’m going to write an overview of the major social networking sites and the value (or lack thereof) that I see in them. It should be interesting.

Are You An Innerpreneur?

Are You An Innerpreneur?

by | Jun 6, 2008 | Cultural Creativity, Featured, Innerpreneurship

Where the Word ‘Innerpreneur’ Came From

I didn’t make it up.

The book, Karma Queens, Geek Gods and Innerprenuers, by Ron Rentel, was the first, to my knowledge, to use and define the term innerpreneur. (Editor’s Note: I now know this to be incorrect.) The book is an exploration of the nine most interesting consumer types evolving today.

The Making of an Innerpreneur

An innerpreneur is an entrepreneur who use their business to find personal fulfillment (creatively, spiritually, emotionally) and create social change.

You may have heard the terms ‘creative class‘, ‘creative capitalism’, or ‘cultural creative‘ used to describe us as well. Basically, we want to use business to improve the world and ourselves.

We have the defining entrepreneurial traits. We have a(n):

  • high need for achievement
  • high need for independence
  • low need for conformity
  • internal locus of control
  • love of ambiguity
  • propensity for risk-taking
  • obsession with opportunity

But innerpreneurs are characteristically different as we start businesses to aid in our personal growth rather than that of a company’s. We start our businesses so we can find personal fulfillment and satisfaction through our work.

We are driven by our need to realize our full potential, to make a difference and to constantly learn and evolve.

Further Characteristics of an Innerpreneur

  • you believe you should do what you are and what you love
  • you see the world in a different way than most
  • you let your values and passion for exploration guide your life
  • you have an innate need to be creative and honest, to follow your own unique path
  • you want to make things different; you are attracted to industries that improve the world
  • you may alternate periods of career focus with periods of reflection and/or adventure

I’m an Innerpreneur

Karma Queens, Geek Gods and InnerpreneursAfter reading the chapter on Innerpreneurs in Karma Queens, Geek Gods and Innerpreneurs, I quickly identified my needs and desires as one of an innerpreneur.

Just before reading the book I had just decided to start my own business. I had realized that I had to in order to have the life I desired. I want to write, to learn, to help people, and use the web to create change.

I have always been hesitant to label myself, to put myself in a box of any sort but I couldn’t help but smile and take a deep breath of relief when I read the profile. It is always nice to belong somewhere.

The Point of ‘Rise of the Innerpreneur’

This blog is dedicated to promoting innerpreneurship and helping innerpreneurs, like you and me, make their businesses a success.