{"id":1396,"date":"2009-04-01T15:13:22","date_gmt":"2009-04-01T19:13:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.elasticmind.ca\/innerpreneur\/?p=1396"},"modified":"2025-03-28T10:52:43","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T14:52:43","slug":"you-arent-authentic-if-you-dont-stand-for-something","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elasticmind.ca\/innerpreneur\/index.php\/2009\/04\/01\/you-arent-authentic-if-you-dont-stand-for-something\/","title":{"rendered":"You Aren’t Authentic If You Don’t Stand For Something"},"content":{"rendered":"
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You started your business for you. You started your business so you could share your unique gifts with the world. And while that is all well and good, it isn\u2019t enough<\/strong>. Your passion has guided you here but purposeful planning is what will make you flourish<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

I know saying that you \u2018should\u2019 do anything is a quick way to disengage you but give me a moment. I am going to take the chance and suggest that there are a few things you \u2018should\u2019 take the time to determine if you want to grow a strong, authentic business.<\/p>\n

Establish a Destination: “\u2026plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”<\/em> – Prof. Michael Yanakiev<\/h3>\n

You don\u2019t have to create a business plan, you don\u2019t even have to write anything down but you do need to know where you are now and were you are headed. If you don\u2019t know where you’re going, you\u2019ll never get there.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Take the time to create a clear vision of what your ideal business looks like. Determine what you want to achieve, however simple or complex. Identify where you are now, where you want to go and how you are going to get there.<\/p>\n

Think of it as your business roadmap. It will help you to take the right steps in the right direction, without seeking constant reassurance. The first goal will not be the final one. The point is to always be proceeding towards a final destination.<\/p>\n

Determine Your Purpose: \u201cIf it acts like a duck (all the time), it’s a duck. Doesn’t matter if the duck thinks it’s a dog, it’s still a duck as far as the rest of us are concerned.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Seth Godin<\/h3>\n

You may as well find out now that you are duck instead of wasting time and money trying to pass yourself off as a dog. After all, an authentic identity is based upon what you do<\/strong>, not what you say you are.<\/p>\n

You have unique strengths as a human and your business should be built upon them. What sets you apart as a human is what will make your business indispensable to your customers. So be sure to identify and claim them. Use them to your advantage.<\/p>\n

Ask yourself:<\/p>\n

1. What sets me apart? <\/strong>Why should people work with me over all other options, including doing nothing?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a hint. You set your business apart by being authentic, by stating clearly your purpose and not wavering from it. The position you take in life and in business is determined by your:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Values and beliefs<\/strong> \u2013 what is important to you?<\/li>\n
  • Truthfulness and integrity<\/strong> \u2013 do you say what you mean and mean what you say?<\/li>\n
  • Empathy<\/strong> \u2013 how deeply do you understand the pain of your customers?<\/li>\n
  • Passion<\/strong> \u2013 what do you love?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    2. Who is my ideal client?<\/strong> Who is it that you dream of working with?<\/p>\n

    Remember this business is for you. And while money is necessary to sustain any business, you will not find your pot of gold by working with anyone and everyone. Focus is need. There is a niche out there that seeks all that makes you unique. Identify and focus on them. Don\u2019t waste your time or money on clients who aren\u2019t a good fit – set boundaries now.<\/p>\n

    Why Your Destination and Purpose \u2018Should\u2019 Matter<\/h3>\n

    You can\u2019t make a difference or be authentic if you don\u2019t stand up for what you believe in. Establishing a business destination and purpose creates a clear view of the way you want your business and the world to be.<\/p>\n

    Just remember only you have to power to stick with your views. Your authenticity rests on what you do, not on what you say<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    You started your business for you. You started your business so you could share your unique gifts with the world. And while that is all well and good, it isn\u2019t enough<\/strong>. Your passion has guided you here but purposeful planning is what will make you flourish<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    I know saying that you \u2018should\u2019 do anything is a quick way to disengage you but give me a moment. I am going to take the chance and suggest that there are a few things you \u2018should\u2019 take the time to determine if you want to grow a strong, authentic business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cultural-creativity"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elasticmind.ca\/innerpreneur\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elasticmind.ca\/innerpreneur\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elasticmind.ca\/innerpreneur\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elasticmind.ca\/innerpreneur\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elasticmind.ca\/innerpreneur\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1396"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.elasticmind.ca\/innerpreneur\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11112,"href":"https:\/\/www.elasticmind.ca\/innerpreneur\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1396\/revisions\/11112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elasticmind.ca\/innerpreneur\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elasticmind.ca\/innerpreneur\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elasticmind.ca\/innerpreneur\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}