The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur

September 11Solving Impact

The continuity of life is never broken; the river flows onward and is lost to our sight, but under its new horizon it carries the same waters which it gathered under ours, and its unseen valleys are made glad by the offerings which are borne down to them from the past,—flowers, perchance, the germs of which its own waves had planted on the banks of Time.

John Greenleaf Whittier—The Prose Works of John Greenleaf Whittier, Vol II (1866)

What problems are you solving? That's the essential question in life, and it certainly applies to business. It's not that you should set your entrepreneurial journey in search of problems—the fun is in creating opportunities, making new stuff, building amazing relationships—but in the end, doing even these things solves someone else's problems. Intentionally or unintentionally.

“… and its unseen valleys are made glad by the offerings which are borne down to them from the past …”

The measure of your true impact, and hence the jolt you may need to keep at it, resides in your relationship to the problems you ultimately solve for others. This is as true in your role as a brother, friend, spouse, as it is in your role as a founder, manager, worker bee.

Problem solving seems a bit negative until you start to use it as a way to understand those you serve and interact with from their point of view. Think about it—being a good listener is solving someone's problem, showing up when needed, having a frank conversation, celebrating ...