Two Different Starting Points
Entrepreneurial decisions may seem similar from the outside. But when viewed from the inside, there are two distinct sets of motivations.
The first is opportunity-driven motivation: the desire to solve a problem, the urge to create, the need for autonomy, and the search for meaning. The feeling that “I have to do this.”
The second is escape-oriented motivation: the desire to get away from a boss, a corporate environment, routine, or disappointment. The feeling that “I have to get out of here.”
Both are legitimate. And they often overlap. But where the center of gravity lies—that distinction is critical.
Scott Shane’s Research
Entrepreneurship researcher Scott Shane shows in his book The Illusions of Entrepreneurship (2008) that the vast majority of entrepreneurs set out with unrealistic expectations. These expectations are directly linked to motivation: those driven by an escape motive imagine that “entrepreneurship means freedom from the problems there,” only to encounter new and different problems. This surprise leads to demoralization during tough times.
Those who set out with opportunity-driven motivation, on the other hand, can frame the difficulty as a predictable part of the journey. The same difficulty, but with a different meaning.
What Does Self-Determination Theory Say About This?
According to Edward Deci and Richard Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory (2000), intrinsic motivation is more sustainable than extrinsic motivation. Motivation fueled by the needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness is more resilient during difficult times than motivation driven by external pressure or the urge to escape.
Entrepreneurship doesn’t happen without challenging times. The quality of one’s initial motivation is one of the strongest factors determining whether one persists through these periods.
The Question: “If It’s Still Tough Five Years From Now”
There’s a question that tests motivation: “If this venture were still difficult five years from now, would I still continue?”
Those who set out with escape motivation generally struggle with this question. Because what they envisioned was the end of the hardship—not finding themselves in the midst of a new one.
Those who set out with positive motivation, however, can usually answer “yes” to this question. Because their motivation comes not from escape, but from the very process of creation and meaning-making.
This distinction is one of the most valuable questions to ask before making an entrepreneurial decision.
“Entrepreneurship is not an escape; it is a commitment. Recognizing this difference from the start makes many things easier later on.” > Adapted from Scott Shane, The Illusions of Entrepreneurship, 2008
Cevvela’s Perspective
- The decision to become an entrepreneur stems from two sets of motivations: opportunity-oriented and escape-oriented; where the center of gravity lies is critical.
- Escape motivation alone is not sustainable; during difficult times, a strong answer to the question “Why am I doing this?” is needed (Shane, 2008).
- Intrinsic motivation—autonomy, competence, and meaning—is more resilient during challenging times than extrinsic or escape motivation (Deci & Ryan, 2000).
- The question, “If things were still tough five years from now, would I still keep going?” is a reliable tool for testing motivation.
- Coaching can be used before this process begins to bring true motivation to the surface and establish a sustainable foundation.
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