The first chapter of INTENTION: Unlocking the Lifeforce Inside High-Performing Entrepreneurs is called Discovery. In this chapter, you'll learn about your biggest competitive advantage...knowing yourself.
Entrepreneurial success starts with deep self-awareness.
Entrepreneurs are wired differently. We take risks others wouldn’t dream of. We navigate uncertainty daily. We face pressure that few understand. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most remarkable entrepreneurs—and I’ve learned that success isn’t just about strategy. It’s about mindset, resilience, and intention.
What separates the extraordinary from the merely successful? It’s not intelligence. It’s not luck. It’s a relentless commitment to evolving, adapting, and staying intentional about what truly matters. That’s the heart of INTENTION: Unlocking the Lifeforce Inside High-Performing Entrepreneurs.
Every high-performing entrepreneur I know has faced moments of doubt, failure, and reinvention. But they didn’t just ‘power through’—they learned how to direct their focus, energy, and decisions with purpose. That’s the journey we explore in INTENTION: Unlocking the Lifeforce Inside High-Performing Entrepreneurs.
We hope you'll enjoy getting a sneak peak at the introduction to Discovery below.
Chapter One: Discovery
“All entrepreneurs have two lives. The one we’re living, and the longed for, yet unlived life locked up inside of us.”
— Inspired by Steven Pressfield
Every entrepreneurial journey begins with discovery, an architecture where curiosity meets intention and the seeds of vision take root. Discovery in this sense involves more than simply identifying a business opportunity; it is about unearthing your personal potential and identifying your unique path. This chapter examines how to navigate the early stages of entrepreneurial self-awareness, focusing on self-reflection, curiosity, and the courage to embrace uncertainty.
Entrepreneurs often exhibit a distinct blend of behavioral and psychological traits that set them apart—traits that are frequently misunderstood or undervalued early in life. Yet these very differences can become their greatest strengths, their superpowers. Discovery involves recognizing these unique qualities, reframing perceived shortcomings as assets, and leveraging them to unlock your full potential.
At Bigelow, we created a tool called the Entrepreneur Life Arc to help illustrate the entrepreneurial journey. This framework, included as a fold-out in the back of this book, charts the dynamic phases of entrepreneurial growth—from moments of inspiration to challenges of resilience, and ultimately to moments of personal and professional fulfillment. Discovery aligns with the concept of self-efficacy, a term introduced by psychologist Al Bandura to describe one’s belief in their ability to influence events that affect their lives. Entrepreneurs often possess high self-efficacy, allowing them to visualize opportunities and take bold steps even when outcomes are uncertain. For some, discovery stems from moments of inspiration—what Mihaly (Mike) Csikszentmihalyi describes as flow experiences—when individuals are fully immersed in a challenging yet achievable task. For others, it emerges from questioning the status quo or observing gaps in the market.
This chapter also explores how vision and strategy are intertwined with discovery. Vision represents the aspirational “why,” guiding decisions and inspiring action, while strategy provides the “how,” offering a roadmap for resource allocation and goal achievement. As Michael Porter’s work on competitive strategy highlights, aligning vision and strategy ensures that organizations (for-profit and not-for-profit alike) remain focused and differentiated in competitive environments.
For entrepreneurs, the journey of discovery is both personal and professional. It’s about cultivating self-awareness, leaning into curiosity, and mustering the courage to step into the unknown. Drawing on examples of entrepreneurial leaders and insights from Positive Psychology, this chapter aspires to equip readers with tools to help transform vague ambitions into actionable visions. Discovery is not a single event; it is a continuous process of learning and adapting, ultimately leading to a clearer understanding of purpose and potential.
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