For the entrepreneur, business is more than just the promise of making money, it's the realization of one's goals. Most entrepreneurs I know, including myself, are goal driven - as opposed to money driven. Any entrepreneur worth his or her salt will tell you that their businesses are a reflection of their dreams. And...if they're lucky enough to make those dreams into reality, and that reality becomes a success (in whatever form that takes), then...the money follows.

As many of you know, I've had some wonderful experiences and successes in my business life. I've also had some endeavors that taught me what not to do. Yet...I still consider myself a serial entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs are risk takers. Some have a higher risk tolerance than others, however, as we've all recently learned - even working for someone else brings with it enormous risks.

When I look at my classrooms full of students, or sit on the stage at commencement, viewing hundreds of graduates as they get ready to go out into the business world, I wonder. Will they be able to find jobs? Will those jobs make them happy? Will their desires be fulfilled?

Today, more and more people have to think about going into business for themselves. Everyone I know...and that includes you, has brilliant ideas - things that could change the world in small or big ways. All it takes is direction, focus, knowing one's strengths and weaknesses, being able to realize when to partner with others and when it can be done alone, and having the tenacity to stick with an idea, set a plan, gather resources, and forge ahead. 

I've coached and trained more entrepreneurs than I can count. I've helped them "get on their feet," given them advice, coached them through problems, and guided them so that they could avoid pitfalls and seize opportunities. It's part of what I love to do and is integral to my own entrepreneurial dream. 

Sometimes, being business brave can be one of the most invigorating endeavors of a person's life. In today's environment it may be the best choice one can make. So...think about your desires, your plans, your wishes, what motivates you, what inspires you, what makes you (or would make you) want to "get up and go" each morning, and start conceptualizing your future endeavor(s). Life is finite...one's business journey should make a person happy and as contented as possible. 

In the societies in which we live, economic survival is based (whether one agrees with it or not) on business and money - yes...they are both mental constructs, but - as with so many mental constructs, we make them real. Therefore, with that reality in mind - think, grow, innovate, and work on building your business dream. There is a sea of opportunities out there. And...you can acheive your business objectives while still being kind, compassionate, sustainable, and also by putting people before profits. Because when people come first...profits usually follow (especially if you understand what it takes to have the margins you need to be successful).

If you can handle the risk...it just might be worth it - in so many ways!

Life is a series of movements. We have no choice but to continue forward. Even if we would rather live in the past, we can't. One can mentally exist in a constant state of longing for the past. But, our lives are always in the now.

Yes...we all know that there are daily challenges. Nothing seems to take us directly to our goals. We have to, at least a good portion of the time, navigate the waters of being. There are always mountains to climb and valleys to cross. However...the path itself is straight. It may appear to be winding, but...in the end, you will realize that it was perfectly straight.

Along our passage through life we encounter those who we deem less fortunate, whether: physically, emotionally, economically, intellectually, or in any other fashion. Or we may be in the presence of those who inspire us to do great things. Perhaps...some may view us as the ones less fortunate or their inspiration.

However we appear, and whatever our mission as a person, deep inside we all should realize that we do not exist in a vacuum. Others help us as we travel through life. They give, or have given, of themselves so that we may grow. There will also come a time when each of us must return the favor. We should give back to those who have helped us, taught us, need our assistance, and our love and gratitude. Chances are we may not know the individuals we help, the animals we give care to, or the environment we embrace. But - when we give of ourselves, we complete (in a manner of speaking) the positive deeds done for us. This receiving and giving cycle remains with us for our entire lives (if we're fortunate enough to partake in it).

Give and receive, receive and give. As we keep the cycle going we fill our lives with an energy that helps us create contentment for ourselves and others.