Why Reaching Your Potential Is Good For Your Biz
"You're starting a business? That's really risky."
How many times have you heard this from your family, friends, and mailman?
Cautionary statements like these become irritating after a while. Even though we know they mean well, it takes a few extra mimosas to get through the "So what are you doing with your life?" conversations at Aunt Millie's brunch. It can be really difficult to put into words why your path is not as risky as it sounds, and, in fact, you know exactly what you're doing with your life (at least until the next brilliant idea falls into your head).
Enter my friend, psychologist Albert Maslow. He developed the Theory of Self-Actualization, which is the psychological need for growth toward fulfillment of the highest needs - especially life meaning. Really, it's really just a fancy term for "reaching your potential."
Maslow created the Hierarchy of Needs based on his belief that people pursue basic human needs in a specific order. At the bottom of his hierarchy you'll find things like food, water and sleep - which, truly, we can't survive without. Self-actualization is found at the peak of the hierarchy.
Maslow's theory also tells us that creative brains are much more driven to self-actualize - even if the lower needs aren't fully met. And doesn't that make sense? As an entrepreneur, you found a non-traditional (dare I say creative?) way to squeeze more meaning out of life. You're driven to make something bigger than a career working for someone else. You're reaching your potential through your business.
There's a difference between starting a business, and starting a meaningful business. If you understand what your brand is all about, you can build your message around the meaning and the purpose behind your work.