The Reason Entrepreneurs Become Unhappy
Updated: Jan 19, 2021
Me…unhappy. Others…happy.
My friend taught me this Chinese proverb.
When I’m focused on me, my wants, my desires, and what am I getting out of this, I’m unhappy.
When I’m focused on giving value to others, being detail oriented on my client’s projects, finishing the job to the end, over delivering on my promise, and providing great customer communication and service, I’M HAPPY.
It’s true! This isn’t some magic trick or Hocus Pocus. If I really sit down and analyze any relationship I’m in, if I’m focused on me and my selfish desires, I’m not really happy. I may think I am, but I’m not.
In 2016 I went through a long season of really focusing in on delivering amazing products and experiences to my clients. When I’m working on my clients, I’m happy. When I’m focused on figuring out how I can win and benefit from something, I’m unhappy. It’s weird, but true.
As entrepreneurs, we have the ultimate stage to be happy by providing an unbelievable wow experience to our prospects and clients.
On the same hand, we have the biggest propensity to lose sight of that and become the most unhappy people in life because we’re focused on how we’re going to pay our bills, reach our goals, accomplish our dreams, and rise to the top.
The way to the top is through serving others first: employees, vendors, contractors, prospects, and clients. Their needs, wants and desires need to be met before ours.
In the book of Acts, chapter 7, we encounter Stephen, first martyr of Christianity and a deacon in the early church at Jerusalem. He aroused the enmity of members of various synagogues by his teachings.
Here’s the thing. He could have kept his knowledge to himself. He could have focused on his safety and well-being, because preaching about Jesus could get you killed. But…it wasn’t about him. He knew this. It was about others knowing about Jesus. That’s what brought him joy and happiness, even to death.
You and I probably won’t die for talking about Jesus. But the point I’m trying to convey here is that Stephen, like us, had something he believed in so much, and he wanted nothing more than OTHERS to know it and be transformed by it.
Isn’t that how you feel about your product or service?
As Godpreneurs, we need to keep our focus on what results our product has on others, and keep on teaching and sharing and testifying what we know about the life changing experience others will have when they do business with us.
Godpreneur Rule #62: Godpreneurs focus on others, not themselves.