Drive and Motivation. It’s different for everybody. Some people are motivated by money. Some people are motivated by passion. The very first thing you need to do is to learn what motivates you, and to what proportion (90% money, 10% purpose or vice versa). Then be comfortable with that fact. Accept it regardless of what is socially popular. There is no shame in being motivated by money. Money does not have to mean your goal in life is to own a sports car. It could just mean that providing financial security for you and your family is your priority. And there’s certainly no shame in that.

The risk of recreating the wheel. Let’s assume that, for the sake of this post, your purpose is at least 40%-50% of your drive and you’re looking to start your own business with a social impact based element. You have an idea in mind that you believe in. The next course of action is to complete a competitor check. It sounds quite obvious, but you shouldn’t be looking to see what separates you from your competitor, but what makes you similar. If there is an established organisation or business that has a strong social purpose in your field and location, then consider joining forces and working for that organisation. They have probably already made the mistakes you are bound to make over the next few years and might benefit from having new found passion and ideas within their team. If your closest competitor is still different in it’s outlook, and would not consider taking on your business model, then consider why they wouldn’t. If nobody is doing anything close to your vision, then you have potentially found a gap in the market.