So what is it that drives you?

One of the key characteristics of successful entrepreneurs is that they have a high level of personal drive combined with a strong determination to succeed!  

A high personal drive is critical to achievement in that it’s one’s personal drive and determination that turns dreams into reality, converts ideas into action and then it’s from this action that the desired results will be achieved (eventually)!  It’s also this drive and determination that: keeps you and your project on course when the desired results or your goal(s) take longer to achieve; or things get tough; or even when you suffer the inevitable set back or failure.  Of course, success is often also related to a complete (to the exclusion of everything else) focus on the achievement of the particular result or goal(s).  As an entrepreneur and/or leader, it’s often your personal drive and determination that sets the tone for those around you, helping push the organisation and/or project forward towards achieving the desired vision and goal(s).

I believe that we all have some form of personal drive. Some people focus on obtaining educational degrees, others building a family, some starting and succeeding in business and others something completely different.  However, the key to any enhancement of a person’s drive seems often to be where extrinsic motivational factors are found in the goals that they’re attempting to achieve, such as wealth creation, business reputation and prestige.  

I’ve often been asked where my drive come from?  I’m not exactly sure!  My mother and father tell me, that as a child and teenager, I was always on the go, had high energy and low threshold of boredom.  Nothing’s changed then!  My father even went as far as saying that I didn’t know how to relax (until recently).  Perhaps my drive comes from watching and copying my always busy parents, based on the premise that ‘monkey see, monkey do!’  Or is it from learning through sport that only the brave and hard working usually win? Was it a strive for wealth creation and a better way of live?  Is it a fear of failure? Or is it success itself in that once you’ve had a taste of success it becomes addictive?  For me, it’s probably all of the above in varying degrees, as well as many other factors that only several meetings with a friendly occupational psychologist and confidant named Graham, might shed some light on!

So, what is it that drives you?  I’d be interested to hear!

Murray Strachan

Murray works with executives, funders and shareholders to recover & create value!  You can contact Murray via his website www.murraystrachan.co.uk or follow him on twitter @murraystrachan