Is "Unmotivated Entrepreneur" an oxy-moron?

Over the past few months, I've read quite a few posts (in this forum and various others) which all address the same topic: Staying motivated in a home-based business environment, which lacks the element of accountability to others. I think this begs a valid question: Should one be in business for themselves if they're unable to keep themselves motivated enough to make their business successful?
Please note, I'm not implying that people who lack an abundance of enthusiasm day in and day out are not fit to be in business for themselves.
What I'm asking, however, is how should people know when to draw the line between having some slow days vs. being in a situation that isn't right for them? Because I've seen the issue of motivation raised so frequently, I think it's a topic that some of the board's home-based veterans could lend some great advice in. Anyone?


Excellent business with step-by-step instructions

retail, we can all probably recall meeting someone that hadn't quite found their niche. They may have inherited a family business that was 20 to 100+ years old. If the person isn't committed to selling to their market, the business will suffer.

I've seen a small town lumberyard and hardware store close because the owner wasn't a people person. His personality wasn't suited for public service in a day to day retail operation. Naturally, he wasn't motivated to do the best job he could do for his customers.

Over time, more and more of his customers drove further to get what they needed. The convenience of his store wasn't enough to keep their business at home. If he can switch to some product or service that he is passionate about or at least more motivated by, he'll be better off in the long run.

Motivation or lack of it can manifest itself in many ways, but the end result will almost always be the same.

Unmotivated entrepreneur may not be an oxymoron, but that person it describes might as well be a dinosaur. Their business may not be extinct today, but it won't take an ice age to finish them off.

They would be better off working in a job, with set tasks to perform, and adequate supervision.

Dennis Bevers


Here's the opportunity that motivates me!