Defining Your Wants & Needs For Business Success
Part 2: How to define your values, wants and needs so you can create a road-map and mindset that is crucial to defining who you are, where you want to go, and the Entrepreneurial vision to succeed.
Once you’ve clearly Defined Your Values For Business Success (Part 1) you’ll then want to work out what your wants and needs are in alignment with your Values.
Now you know what truly matters to you and makes you fulfilled (aka your values), how does that fit into the whole business plan? How can you fit that into your business life?
Next step is in defining your strengths; what you love doing and that makes your heart sing with joy… incidentally, can you see how this is starting to fit with your Values? Think of it like a jigsaw puzzle 
The first piece of the jigsaw puzzle is your Values, the next piece is listing out what you’re good at or love doing. Everything can be learned, so don’t be concerned if you’re not a ‘master’ of something you love doing or would love to do… when you consistently apply that skill and continuously upgrade your knowledge, you WILL become a master and leader.
Below is a Worksheet to help you out, but hang on to your horses… don’t open it yet. Because there’s another piece of the jigsaw that makes it all fit together.
And that is your Needs.
When you’ve identified what you love doing and of which speaks to your heart, the next piece of the jigsaw puzzle is to define what your needs are at this point in time. For instance, given that you want to find or start a home based business, one of these needs may be flexibility and freedom to work the hours you want. Complete this part of the Worksheet and jot down all the reasons you are starting a home based business; and I mean EVERYTHING, no matter if you feel something is trivial – jot it down.
You’re nearly there…
Final step of the jigsaw puzzle is to define your Wants.
And I want you to dream BIG here. What do you REALLY want out of life, out of your business? Your home based business will determine the QUALITY of life you have, so consider your personal life as well, not just your business wants.
As an example, one of your wants for a home based business may be to earn $250k annually; so this would affect your personal life too in what you want for yourself and your family. DREAM BIG. Imagine this part of your Worksheet as your Life & Business Canvas; here you can design the life and business that you REALLY want – not just need.
Once you’re done defining your Values, Strengths, Needs and Wants, you will start to see an emerging pattern of what really matters to you.
Only then can you can start to put all the jigsaw pieces together to map out your future life and identify a business that is in alignment with all four areas.
Once you do, and once you find or start that home based business which is in alignment with all four areas, then you will truly step out with passion and purpose and enjoy the LIFE you created for yourself.
Have fun piecing it together! 
Your Authentic Power
What does it mean to be in your authentic power?
It can be fairly said that when someone is in their authentic power, they are coming from a place within themselves, which in turn creates a charismatic presence that others tune into. That is, the person’s language and actions epitomises who they are, as a person, and emanates a light that others recognise, believe in, and listen to.
Sometimes, when we think of power we think of someone who is wielding control and dominance. Look back in history and you more than likely can think of several people of influence – in their time – who lived up to this meaning; and it is usually these same people we don’t think fondly of!
But when we think of all the inspirational leaders, both past and present, who, in one way or another, influenced your life, then you are seeing someone in their authentic power.
Ghandi, Mother Theresa, The Dalai Llama, Nelson Mandela are just a few that come to my mind.
Who comes to your mind as a true leader? What traits do you recognise?
Leaders who are authentic in their power are genuine, speak from the heart, are factual, have strength in their words and posture, live by what they say, and seemingly without the need to do so exercise a calming influence and authority that is neither domineering nor condescending.
Do not be fearful of power. Authentic power is empowering, rather than disempowering, and does not seek to dominate over another human being. Your Authentic Power can change other people’s lives for the better, and YOUR life. The heart you touch today through your authentic power can be the catalyst and turning point for another.
There are many different kinds of power. True power comes from serving and helping others. Such behavior makes people respect you. They are willing to listen to your views and advice, and they support you. The energy of many people is thus channeled through one person. This kind of power is positive and authentic. Dalai Lama
How do you “get into” your Authentic Power?
We all have authentic power within us and you can tap into it whenever you desire.
Think back to a time when you felt extremely confident – in your own power. What did it feel like? What was happening when you felt that power?
William James (American philosopher) said:
“Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, ‘This is the real me,’ and when you have found that attitude, follow it.”
Your Authentic Power is your values – who you are, what you stand for and believe in. When you follow what you believe in and what matters to you – what you are PASSIONATE about – you step out with conviction and purpose.
This is your Authentic Power that people subconsciously tune into and are drawn to.
Try this exercise and see how it works for you.
When you go out next to the store, the park or wherever you are going, before you head out, visualise and hold in your heart the person you are – no matter if you haven’t got there yet. If you want to be the next President of the United States, or a visionary missionary in a country most people haven’t heard of – whatever it is that is in YOUR heart.
Visualise it, hold it there in your inner space and LIVE it. Play a movie in your mind of YOU and what is happening in your life… the genuine influence that is surrounding you. Believe in your movie. Then go out and hold that person, YOU, and that movie in your heart and mind. I can guarantee that you will be amazed at the people that are attracted to you because you are emanating your own Authentic Power.
Article by Tara West © 2009
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