Keep Your Eyes on the Path, Not on the Prize.

The key to having a rewarding business is having one that speaks to your inner strengths, increases your passion, and engages your heart. So often, we hear people tell us to “keep your eyes on the prize.” However, in business that’s not the best plan—in fact, it can derail you in your entrepreneurial pursuit. The prize that we often think we have to pursue consists of financial awards, accolades and applauses that will come if you do your job. The true entrepreneur focuses on the path that is the journey to success.
In the business journey, when you are developing and growing your company, you’ll encounter many obstacles in the road attempting to derail you from the path. The key is to not lose the focus of the journey when you encounter obstacles in your path. The journey is a major reason you should keep your eyes on the path and not on the prize. In business, the success that you hope for is the success that will come if you focus on your journey.
Success often comes in the form of the accolades and financial rewards. Having won many awards, I am well aware that some of the awards and accolades can be an incredible achievement and they can give you a false sense of “who you are”. You have to believe that the journey you’ve been on is due to the path you’ve taken.
The path is your focus and the journey is the prize; no one knows the battles you’ve waged to keep your business intact to protect its foundation and integrity.
Some entrepreneurs achieve their success early—too early. They have never had to wear the 10-15 hats that most entrepreneurs have to wear in the start-up phases of their businesses. The temptation can be strong to focus on the good times of success rather than the hard work it took to achieve that success. Other entrepreneurs find while they were building their personal and company images, they suddenly become the “hot commodity” in their industry. Be selective with your time; don’t forget the day-to-day journey that your business provides.
How do you keep your focus on the path when everything else is competing for your time and your attention? Surround yourself with real people who have your best interests at heart. Make sure they are positive people who can encourage you and walk the path with you. You’ll recognize them because they’re real, they tell you the truth to help you, not hurt you, and are able to keep you focused on the path and not the prize.
You will have to work to keep the real you—the internal you—grounded. You can help yourself by staying focused, determined and goal-oriented. Examine that path you’re on, look for the next project to complete, the next mountain to climb. Look at the path and where it’s taking you.
Stay focused on the path of building a rewarding business and remember the prize is the journey.