If you want to have a successful business, one thing you should pay attention to is whether or not your business has a clear mission. The mission here isn’t just to make money; it should be about something bigger than that. It should be related to the interest of other people and not just you and your company.
Perhaps it seems idealistic, but the book Built to Last says that it’s one of the characteristic that lasting companies have. They aren’t just there to make money. They have a clear mission to accomplish. This mission inspires people in the company to do way more than what they would do if it’s just for money.
The book even says that your business should have a big, hairy, audacious goal (BHAG). One example is the goal of landing man on the moon in 1960s. This BHAG energizes people in your company more than you might expect. Of course, the goal should be realistic. But it should also be challenging to inspire people to give their best.
So if you are thinking of starting your own business, you’d better start thinking about your mission. You can find it by looking at your own personal values. Find things that inspire you because they may also inspire other people. Don’t build a business just to make money. Have a mission.