Thanks for your email, and for your positive response to What makes us tick?

Like you, I’ve noticed an increase in the number of people who are either dreaming of, or actually planning to start their own businesses. I think it’s emerging as a signficant trend among younger people, in particular, many of whom become disenchanted very quickly with the values and ethos of larger organisations.

I think there are five main desires driving this trend:

The desire to be taken seriously – nothing demands attention and recognition like starting your very own business! And much of the frustration people feel at work derives from not feeling as if their contribution is properly recognised – not feeling as if they are being taken seriously enough, valued enough, appreciated enough.

The desire to be useful – work satisfies this desire for most of us, but it is satisfied most deeply when we are doing precisely what we have chosen to do.

The desire for control – Work is one of the best ways of satisfying our desire for control, but owning your own business gives you an ultimate sense of control over your workplace, and that’s hugely satisfying for many of us. (Conversely, work can become a major source of frustration and discontent when it doesn’t satisfy our desire for control.)

The desire for something to believe in – setting up your own business is an expression of your own values, your own purpose in life, your own “mission”. So people who run their own businesses are usually great believers in what they are doing.

The desire for ‘my place’ – as I mention in the book, many people find their sense of ‘place’ is rooted in the workplace – my office, my desk, my shop, even my car. So when you create your own business you are also creating your very own place to work in. Most small business-owners feel a strong sense of attachment to their workplaces and, in particular, to the (often small and humble) place where they started out.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year
Hugh Mackay