When you're in the midst of building your small business, or judging how your business functions as the economy changes the rules, it's very difficult to step back and check the macro view of your creation. Are you living what you dreamed? Are you still fulfilling your purpose, and excited to face each day's wonders?

Whether you're a one-man shop or have 100 employees, an objective reality-check can move you towards your goals much more quickly and with much greater ease then keeping your eye solely on the ball. Being aware of what might be holding you back is the beginning.

Mistake #1 - Fearing Mistakes.

Think of it as fear vs. freedom. You will never be free to live completely on purpose doing what you love until you realize that mistakes are the only way to truly learn. If you're afraid to try something new for fear you will fail, you will never reach your goals or live your dream. Losing is part of the process. We try something new, fail, learn, correct and try again. Picture a young bird learning to fly. Out of the nest, first it will fall, until it €gets its wings€ and take off flying. I've never seen one actually hit the ground.

Mistake #2 - Trying to do everything yourself.

You must learn to delegate. You shouldn't be the smartest one around, the only one who can €do it right€. The trick is to surround yourself with people who are better than you are. There are 2 primary reasons for this:

First, you want to grow as much as you can, true? When the people around you challenge you to be better, you become better. Be around people who inspire you.

The second reason to surround yourself with intelligent, thoughtful, and ethical people is that it will allow you to take a step back out of the picture. It will give you time. Time for contemplation and rest. This will result in a clearer, and more focused mind that is unchallenged by indecisiveness.

Do not fear no longer being needed. Release the belief that it is weak to ask for help. To live most completely on purpose, you need time. To do what you love most, you need time. Your time is needed to live your own life fully.

Mistake #3 - Sticking to your guns.

Making decisions is one thing. It's the quickest way to move forward. However don't confuse a decision with a hard line in the sand. Your mind must always be open to your heart, and sometimes a new thought will cause you to question your decision. This is not a bad thing - this is what makes great people greater. The ability to be open-minded, and ready to learn new things.

What if you've been functioning from a value that no longer serves you, such as €There will always be clients I can serve to fulfill my purpose and provide sustainable income? Yes, the economy happens, the stock market happens, clients pull back on their budgets and water down my work. Even so, I made a decision this is how I was going to live my life, so I'll just work harder and it will work out€.

What if your value changed to something like €The economy is now a world economy. I can no longer trust in the stock market, or that a client will choose to work with me. I need to take advantage of this world economy trend, rather than be at its mercy€.

You don't have to know all the answers at once. You simply have to trust in yourself, and perhaps in a higher being that it's OK to try something new. It's OK to change your mind, and think outside your comfort zone a bit. After all, your current values are already making you uncomfortable, are they not?

Everyone should have the opportunity to live on purpose; to create from inspiration; and be empowered to do what they love.