Do you have a “bigger why”?
It’s your raison d’être. The reason you’re in business. The reason your business even exists.
When I start working with a new entrepreneurial client, one of the first things I help her do is define her vision for her own thriving business and lifestyle.
Before she can do that, she needs to know WHY she’s in business. This goes for those just starting out and those who’ve had their own business for a while now.
Why do you need your why?
It gives you a navigational point. It’s like the foundation of the house, the lighthouse in the sea and the North Star in the sky. It keeps you in the driver’s seat of your own business when things get hard.
And, things WILL get hard. Not all days are inspiring. Some are pretty tough.
So, how do you figure out your own why? Here’s how:
STEP #1: THINK ABOUT WHAT YOUR BUSINESS GIVES YOU
Ultimately, what’s in it for you? What are you getting out of this gig? What benefits do you get? What does your business enable you to do?
For me, building my own business is a spiritual journey in my own personal leadership. I’m challenging myself with the truest test of my inner strength, leadership and courage.
One friend told me the other day I’ve got huge bravado to be doing what I’m doing. He actually said “balls” but you get the point.
He’s right. It does take guts. For me, it’s about figuring out the seemingly impossible. It’s about audacity, not arrogance. It’s about feeling the internal satisfaction when I can say “I figured it out, I did it!”
The second major thing my business gives me is the freedom and flexibility I need to blend my personal life and professional ambitions.
Often I’m asked why I left corporate at the top of my career while leading 100 people as communication manager for one of Canada’s biggest cities. While I loved the work and still consult to stay relevant in the field, my personal life took a back seat to my professional success.
I was carried away with everyone else’s demands and forgot about me. My energy bank account was in overdraft. I saw my son about an hour after work each day. And, my Dad got sick and died in a span of 16 days.
I thought, “Is this really it? Is this the way I want to spend the next 20 years?”
What I was missing was right under my own nose – my own sweet life. And guess what? The blunt reality was nobody was going to step up lead it for me.
My business enables the freedom, flexibility and independence to put my health and family first.
I’m not going to give you rose-coloured glasses though. It takes work to stay in the driver’s seat and not become a slave to by own business. In fact, this is a nice segue when it comes to my own “bigger why”.
STEP #2: THINK ABOUT WHAT YOUR BUSINESS GIVES OTHERS
What’s in it for the people you serve? What are they getting out of working with you? How are you impacting them? Ultimately, why were you born at this particular time in history? What is the meaningful impact you were born to make?
When I look back my childhood, university days and my career, I see a consistent thread.
I’ve always had a big pull in my heart to help women to stand up, step up and get heard about what matters most. It’s about building their voice, their confidence and their freedom.
When it comes to being an entrepreneur, there’s a myth that having your own business automatically gives you freedom. In fact, what usually happens is the business starts taking over your personal life.
The meaningful impact I was born to make is to help women slide into the driver’s seat of their business, so they can drive their business forward and still have a life. In fact, their lifestyle is the driving force of their success.
So, in a nutshell, what do I and my business give others?
I help women be heard, be free and prosper. I teach success-driven, time-deprived women entrepreneurs how to drive the thriving business AND quality of life they crave.
Now, it’s your turn. I want you to take 20 to 30 minutes and do this exercise to get your why. I’d love to know your bigger why. Claim it by writing a comment below.
What’s in it for you? Even when things get hard, you’ll have a navigational point to keep you aligned with what you were meant to do. What are you waiting for? It doesn’t have to be “perfect”… the most important thing is to get started. xo
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
My bigger why: I love learning the behind the scenes story and what motivates people, and then sharing that story. Everyone has a story to tell and I am passionate about telling those stories with integrity.
What a gift you bring Roz. Thanks for sharing.