KEY TO STICKING TO BUSINESS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: NOTE TO SELF

When I decided to quit my job and go into business, I really was not sure if I was ready. But I knew I had to do it because I was no longer happy at work and I did not want my attitude to affect the quality of my outputs. Of course, I was worried over how long will I be able to endure months without a sure source of income. After all, just like majority of minimum income earning Filipino families, I too share in paying for our monthly bills. Yet, I still decided to take a leap of faith, very much like as if I'm opening myself to the possibility of a romantic relationship. I knew that starting a business comes with many challenges, but I did not expect that it will take this long for me to get used to how business really works. Nor was I prepared to see my stash of money quickly evaporating and the calendar shedding pages in a rush before I could even sell an item from my online store. Honestly, sometimes, I thought of giving up, but then, I would look at this little note I wrote just a few months ago and I am reminded why I decided to venture into this unknown world.

Yes, the business that I have put up is a sort of a social enterprise and perhaps, this is also one of the major reasons why I am having difficulties with this quest. I hope to combine earning plus being able to inspire people, in this case, by putting up a business that creates products that inspire children, most especially those in small private schools and public schools, to dream and strive for their dream jobs. I design, create and market the products. And then, I also search for articles on the web to post on my business fan page to inspire readers. I do everything on my own, and that is also another reason why business is still slow. Add to this is the fact that I accept editing and writing jobs because I still need to earn for my family and to have funds to keep my business afloat. I think I really am spreading myself thin.

In times of despair and wanting to give up, I look back at my little note to self. And then the passion flares again!* (Yep! This line is from the song "Sometimes when we touch!") I realize that a little note could contain my business mission statement, and seeing it every day would be my key to sticking to my business goals and objectives.

Now, with my business mission statement written down clearly, I am also becoming more open to other possibilities. Like perhaps, I am just an instrument of this business idea which is really intended for someone else or for a bigger group. Perhaps, I can convince an NGO or other social entrepreneurs to join me or I could endorse my idea to them. And then I could go back finding a job where I could read and write and edit and promote stuff - four things that I also truly love aside from forming business ideas. And through that job, I could still inspire children because I was able to fulfill another dream of mine - earn a decent living through writing.

I also read this quote every day, something I found posted in Bo Sanchez's fan page which said:

"Never give up on the dreams that God has placed in your heart. But you can experiment in various ways in fulfilling them - until you find the right one." - Bo Sanchez

It may take me years to realize my dreams (business and personal dreams at that), and similar to planting a tree, it is normal to wait and have faith that soon I will see my labors bear fruit. 



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*This strategy of writing down one's purpose for doing something is something that I have incorporated in the wall charts which I offer in my business. I practice what I preach! See the wall charts here (click the link):

SOS Dream Job Charts