Even the Spice Girls were asking: “Tell me what you want, what you want.” What would your answer be if someone asked you (or sang this question to you)? Do you even know what you want?
When asked this question, many people may answer, “I want to build wealth, be rich, or be famous.” Or “I want to own a successful company.” Or, sadly, some may answer, “I don’t know.”
To find real success in business, as in life, a good starting point is to determine what you want. What payback are you looking for after putting your time and energy into your business and career?
Many people who run successful businesses and are considered by many as rich and famous find that the things that they thought they wanted are not the things that are offering them the satisfaction and fulfillment that they were looking for in the first place.
Six Things That You Really Want in Business
Though not everyone has the exact needs, the primary reasons that most people find success can be categorized into six areas. Take a little time to consider if these are the things you want.
- Fulfillment
- Connection
- Growth
- Creativity
- Contribution
- Alignment
Some or all of these factors may play into realizing your true success. It may take a little self-reflection to determine what you really want, but it is well worth the effort.
Fulfillment
Fulfillment in business is when you can apply your talents and values while still fulfilling your personal and financial needs.
Many of us need to know that we are making a difference. Does that mean that we are changing the world? Maybe. It may mean that we are making a difference to a few and that our work is meaningful.
It can also provide you with balance, that elusive factor that distinguishes the unfulfilled workaholics from those who are successful but manage to find happiness outside of the walls of their office.
Connection
Connection in business can be anything from working with like-minded co-workers to associating with peers with the same goals. It may involve team building and helping customers.
It could be teaching others about your service, product, or mission or simply finding the connection between your goals and the needs of others who can benefit from your work.
We all like to have the sense that we belong to something and are an integral part of that connection.
Growth
John Henry Newman said, “Growth is the only evidence of life.” To do what we really want and find fulfillment and connectivity, we all want and need to continue growing.
To reach our full potential, we must continue to experience growth by exploring new things, learning new tasks, and expanding our knowledge further than ever before.
Face it; without growth, there would never be any excitement.
Creativity
Along with growing and learning, creativity needs to be fostered to provide us with the fulfillment we need for true success. You have ideas, and those are the things that will set you apart from all the others.
Creating your own product, service, or niche is what you find exciting. Give yourself the freedom to explore and expand your creativity.
Contribution
Contribution isn’t just about donating at a fundraiser. It is more about the impact you and your business can have on others.
It takes all of the other factors, such as creativity and connection, and rolls them all together to make that fulfilling difference that changes somebody or something and makes it better.
Your contribution can be societal, monetary, or anything more significant than ourselves. It may be the novel that brings tears to the readers, the new law that protects citizens, or the device that saves lives.
And if your business does not provide the tools to make the changes, let your dollars fund research, education, or any cause that is dear and personal to you.
Alignment
Living your best life is about aligning your values with your life’s work and objectives. We are each unique in the things that fulfill and inspire us.
By aligning the things we love with what we do, your life can be the one you have dreamed of.
Feeling good each day that you continue your life’s work, aligning your objectives with the things that bring you joy, is the ultimate payoff for the work and dedication that you put into it.
Tell Me What You Want, What You Really, Really Want
No girl group will help you figure out what you really want. Your definition of success and happiness is unique and individual to you. There is no magic wand that you can wave to get you to where you want to go.
There will always be hard work, diligence, and sacrifice. But the shortest way to business success is to determine what you want and get on your way to reaching your goals.
Sometimes you feel like you’re spinning your wheels, but it’s not too late to write a new story.
Once you identify the things you want that make you happy and fulfilled, you can leave the old narrative and excuses behind and move forward. Let me show you how!
Ready to transform your leadership?
Work with Bryan Kramer, a two-time bestselling author and Forbes Top 3 Thought Leadership Speaker, to unlock your full potential and lead with humanity.