Is Entrepreneurship a calling? We can debate both ways, seeing that there are people who are natural-born entrepreneurs, and there are those who simply fell into that line of work and somehow made a name for themselves. But one thing we know for sure is that being an entrepreneur is not for everyone, especially if you need to be externally motivated.

Key Takeaways;

Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint-hearted. It demands a level of self-motivation and passion that external encouragement alone can’t provide.

If you’re considering starting a business, ask yourself:

- Are you driven by internal goals or external influences?

- Do you have the passion to sustain you through tough times?

- Can you motivate yourself when no one else is cheering you on?

If your answers lean toward internal drive and passion, you’re better equipped for the entrepreneurial path.

The Role of Motivation

According to the American Psychological Association, motivation is defined as:

A person’s willingness to exert physical or mental effort in pursuit of a goal or outcome.

This willingness comes in two distinct forms: internal and external motivation.

Internal Vs. External Motivation

In a lot of ways, being motivated is a good thing, especially if you are self-motivated. This is when the source of your motivation is your goals or ambitions. Let’s call this Internal Motivation. For instance, take Kristina Saffran and Erin Parks, two academics who transitioned into entrepreneurship out of a shared drive to provide treatment for those battling eating disorders. Their internal motivation wasn’t just about building a company—it was about solving a problem they deeply cared about.

On the flip side, external motivation is inspired by factors outside of yourself. It might come from seeing someone else’s success and thinking, “If they can do it, so can I.” It could also be fueled by the appeal of a lifestyle—freedom, wealth, or recognition—or by the encouragement of friends, family, or mentors who believe in your potential.

While external motivation can light the initial spark, it’s rarely enough to sustain you through the challenges of entrepreneurship.

If Your Motivation Is External, Consider Another Path

If you rely heavily on encouragement to move forward, entrepreneurship may not be the right journey for you. Encouragement can inspire action, but it’s a temporary boost. Once the initial excitement fades and the reality of running a business sets in, external motivation loses its power. Without a deeper internal drive, it becomes nearly impossible to push through the inevitable hurdles.

The Rocket Analogy

Have you ever seen a rocket being launched? The initial force to lift the rocket is provided by the boosters attached to the side of the vehicle. These boosters have only one purpose, which is to provide enough force to lift the rocket into orbit. Once this purpose has been achieved, the boosters become dead weight and are dropped off. Encouragements act in the same way as the booster engines. They propel you to a certain point, and from there on, something else is needed if you want to go higher. This is where passion and self-motivation come in.

What you need - Self Motivation & Passion

Self-motivation is a much stronger form of motivation. Being self-motivated is like having a source of endless energy. Whenever you run out, you can simply rekindle the drive and keep moving on. Self-motivation is the answer to your WHY. For Kristina Saffran, it was to help others suffering from a disease she had battled with as a child. The stronger your reason, the stronger your motivation will be.

Passion takes you one step further. When you’re self-motivated to pursue a goal you’re equally passionate about, you have a higher chance of succeeding. So many people struggle with finding their passion, especially in business. But a good place to start is to look at your hobbies. Many entrepreneurs have been able to scale their hobbies into a business. If you find yourself in a similar situation, then perhaps this will help.

How to stay motivated as an Entrepreneur

We’ve talked about being self motivated and passionate about your business. Now let’s take it a step further by providing practical tips on how to stay motivated as an entrepreneur.

1. Focus on what you’re good at

This may seem obvious at first, but it’s easy to get carried away when running a business. Challenges come at you from all sides, and sooner or later, you start feeling overwhelmed. At this point, it’s common for people to start questioning themselves and the choices they made. Is this the right calling for me? Should I keep going or make a U-turn back to my 9 to 5? The bad news is it never gets easy. But there is a silver lining in all of these. All you need to do is focus on what you are good at. This will likely be the reason you started the business. It will also help you stay grounded and motivated through the tough times.

2. Set realistic goals

Goals are important, but before you go about setting goals for your new business, make sure they are realistic. A good concept to remember when setting goals is the SMART goal. The word SMART is an acronym used to define the attributes of a goal, which are;

Specific (S) - your goal needs to be specific. Example: Getting X number of sales in the first quarter

Measurable (M) - you need to be able to measure your goals. This will help you know when it has been achieved.

Achievable (A) - are your goals a pipe dream, or are they actually achievable?

Realistic (R) - Realistic goals are measurable and within one’s reach, considering all available resources. Unrealistic goals are the exact opposite; they are too broad and difficult to measure.

Timely (T) - can you set a realistic time frame for achieving your goals? Without a well-defined timeline, it will be difficult to motivate yourself to work towards your goals.

3. Surround yourself with like-minded people

Birds of a feather flock together. If you want to keep motivated, you need to surround yourself with like-minded people. People who share similar passion and dreams as you can be very helpful when you feel less motivated and drained. They can also help fend off the urge to quit when things get tough, as they do in any entrepreneurial endeavor.

4. Have a strong mission statement

Why does your company exist? This question should be answered in your mission statement, which is a brief statement that describes the purpose of your company, outlining its culture, goals, and values. Your mission statement will act as a North Star to guide the affairs of your company.

5. Reflect on your journey and celebrate your victories

It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of entrepreneurship, but always remember to take some time off to reflect on your journey. How far you’ve come, the battles you’ve won, and most importantly, the ones you’ve lost. What lessons did they teach you, and how will you apply them going forward?

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