As an entrepreneur, you always want to start with the end in mind. Sometimes, where we want to go with our business (our dreams, passions, goals) gets lost in the day to day activity, struggle, and challenges of running our business.

We may have started our business with one outcome in mind, but find that, as it evolves, we are heading somewhere else entirely.

As I’ve been sharing a lot of business strategy and advice on this blog, I wanted to take a break from strategy and tactics for a minute and focus, instead, on some bigger picture, or “big perspective” type questions.

One of these is the title of this post: What is your measure of business success?

Since my company (Awakened, LLC) works with people from diverse backgrounds (including stay at home Moms, Dads looking to reinvent themselves, as well as highly educated experts who are looking to transform their academic knowledge into wealth), we always start by asking our clients to define what is their measure of business success.

As you might imagine, many people describe business success in terms of finances; how much money they are making.

But equally as interesting is how many of my clients define success by their family; how much time they can spend with their children and loved ones, and, too, by giving back; how much they can contribute to their communities or to worthwhile organizations.

One of the biggest themes that shows up again and again is the idea of leaving a legacy: a unique contribution which leaves the world a better place.

The thing I’ve noticed is that my clients who have big passions, big goals, and big dreams are fueled by more than just money. They want to build a business, and lifestyle, which enables them to have more time, money, and freedom for the life experiences that money can’t buy.

How about you? What’s your measure of business success?

Want to get a jumpstart on your legacy? Work with me