It's not always easy but it matters

After 8 years as a social entrepreneur I can categorically say it's not easy working for yourself, running your own business and having a life you love too.

But I still choose to do it in a heartbeat.

Yes there's often times I feel:

• "Wouldn't it be easier getting a job and being employed?"

• "Do I really even know what I'm doing?"

• "There's so many other great people out there, there's no space for me too"

• "Could I have a bigger impact in corporate or a larger, established social enterprise?"

• "Maybe I'm just not cut out for it"

So why do I continue?

It's simple.

Our planet matters. People and their rights matter. Justice, inclusion and peaceful societies matter. Communities matter, and increasing wealth in the most deprived communities, increasing everyone's standard of living (but especially those in poverty, on the poverty line or at risk of becoming homeless, ostracised and lonely) matters.

Life matters!!

And experience has shown me again and again I have valid, useful and inspiring things to contribute as a social entrepreneur and I can and do make money from it.

And I believe wholeheartedly, if I want to have more income and impact then that is possible too.

Working for me is an important part of life. I can honestly answer that question that if I won the lottery tomorrow I would still need to "work". Need and want to. (It's a moot point because I don't play the lottery but you get it).

For me work gives me purpose. (I think it's why I find maternity leave, and choosing to do the vast majority of childcare so difficult).

But I also want to do purposeful work. I want the time I spend working to matter.

And I want that time to be paid well for because I recognise the added impact I can have by scaling my income, personally and in my business.

I do this work, my work because it matters.

It matters that more women have the confidence and ability to be in their power, sharing their gifts and implementing their visions for change in the world. Earning more from it and living lives they love.

What you do matters too! Whether its:

• training corporate employees on design thinking or the detail of the climate crisis

• employing and training women who face multiple disadvantage in your product based business

• supporting families to live more sustainably without the eco-guilt

• providing respite care to children and families with disabilities

• coaching or consulting impact businesses doing incredible things

• or whatever it is to support and tackle the issues that matter.

What you feel, know and do matter!

Never forget this.

It's not easy but that's not why were doing it. We're doing it because it matters to us.

But if you want to do it, make it easier and earn more that's possible too. Ask yourself these simple questions:

• What is working out for you / going well? Remember this (and maybe do more of it)

• What isn't working for you? What needs to change?

• How could you make things simpler?

• Where could you increase your revenue / profit?

When you really dig deep and answer these questions you can really shift your focus and energy to where you need it to be.