“Whatever you think, be sure it is what you think; whatever you want, be sure that is what you want; whatever you feel, be sure that is what you feel.” ~ T.S. Eliot

Like many of you I spend December reflecting on the past year. Our businesses make up a big part of who we are and 2012 was a tough year for many of us. While we may be evaluating what we can do in 2013 to improve our businesses in terms of marketing, operations and sales we should first consider if we are truly pursuing our dream business. In Put Your Dream to the Test: 10 Questions to Help You See It and Seize It John Maxwell asks the question “Is My Dream Really My Dream?” If your response is “I don’t know” then you do this quick self-check.

Your dream IS NOT yours if: Your dream IS yours if:
1. It doesn’t have the right fit
2. It feels like a weight on your shoulders
3. It drains you
4. It puts you to sleep
5. It will take you out of your strength zone
6. It fulfills others but not you
7. It requires others to make you do it
1. It feels right to you
2. It lifts your spirits
3. It fires you up
4. You can’t stop thinking about it
5. It takes you out of your comfort zone
6. It is fulfilling to you
7. You were made to do it
So is your dream really your dream and are you pursuing it? The answer to that really determines what you should be doing in 2013. We all know that time is a precious and we can’t get it back. So why spend it on a dream that’s not yours?