With the Fourth of July just a few days away, the subject of Independence has been on my mind a lot the past couple of days…
Independence is the source of the dream that we have as entrepreneurs.
We want to be time independent, financially independent. We want to be free.
As the R&B Soul Sister, the highest earning black musician in history, and the original “Independent Woman” Beyonce had this to say about her independence…
“I don’t want to have to sing about the same thing for ten more years. You can’t grow. I want to be able to sing about how much I hate myself that day if that’s how I feel. I felt like it was time to set up my future, so I set a goal. My goal was independence.”
“I remember when Destiny’s Child put out “Independent Woman,” and women there were saying how proud they were to have their own jobs, their own independent thinking, their own goals. It made me feel so good, and I realized that one of my responsibilities was to inspire women in a deeper way.”
We all have our reasons for wanting to be free. To be independent.
It’s what drives us to achieve the unachievable. To reach goals we secretly thought we’d never actually reach. To uncover our innermost calling in life.
Think about it…
The deep desire for independence is what FOUNDED OUR NATION.
Let that sink in a little.
The way the entire world looked, felt, and operated changed because our founding fathers sought freedom.
Now, you may not be looking to form a new government, but if you are growing a business, you are growing your independence. That is the highest achievement we can have, if you ask me.
Seeking your independence will change the way your entire life looks, feels, and operates.
But before any of that can happen, you’v got to ask yourself some very important questions.
These are BIG questions.
Question that could potentially change the trajectory of your entire business… your entire life… so, if you don’t have 10-15 minutes to decide this right now, check your calendar. Find 10-15 minutes. Block out that time to answer these questions. Set a reminder.
(When you think about it, 10-15 minutes is nothing compared to your entire life… It’s really a no-brainer to get this done)
Here are your BIG INDEPENDENCE questions:
1) Is my life measuring up to my ultimate dream of Freedom & Independence?
If so, great, where do I see room for improvement? If not, that’s okay, what are the biggest things keeping me from my ultimate independence?
2) Am I measuring up to my ultimate dream of Freedom & Independence?
If so, great, where do I see room for improvement? If not, what are the biggest things keeping me from being the person I need to be?
3)Ultimately, am I moving forward being FREER or am I still shackled to my business, to commitments, to unhealthy & unnerving patterns?
Explain.
Be honest with yourself when answering these questions. Fibbing does you no good here.
You may have to face some uncomfortable ‘stuff.’ But, there is a giant bonus for doing so… the women who achieve really big things in life (from starting their own business to becoming one of the highest paid musicians in the world) are the women willing to face the uncomfortable ‘stuff’ because they know it’s the only way up.
And, I know you’re one of those women.
Answer your questions and, if you’re up for it, share them with me in the comments below. (Talk about accountability!)
Until then… stay passionate!
Amongst our freedoms is the freedom to choose who we desire to be. This facilitates our ability to design and implement our own process of becoming. What could be in store for those who dare to choose their course in life according to preferences? Uncommon levels of fulfillment and gratification a more enjoyable ride. Of course, one’s awareness and discernment of personal preferences go a long way towards making such things possible. Personal choices with inherent potential to yield gratification are born through awareness of that which is gratifying. Behavior that is not in harmony with our deepest values and wholesome desires might be worthy of the description, ‘squandering time.’ And as Ben Franklin reminded us: Do not squander time for that is the stuff life is made of. We have the freedom to choose. You admonish us to choose wisely. Thank you, Paul.