Does Your Business Feel Off-Track? Here’s How to Reconnect with Your Original Why.
Think back to when you first had the idea to start your business.
Rewind for a moment.
Picture the excitement, the sleepless nights filled with dreams of success, and perhaps a little bit of that “what the heck am I doing?” anxiety.
We’ve all been there.
You had a vision—something that made you want to build something of your own, to be your own boss, and to create something that would change the world (or at least make life easier for a few people).
But somewhere along the way, things got a little… complicated. The day-to-day grind, the endless emails, the spreadsheets, the marketing funnels. You may have lost track of that spark, that original why that lit the fire in your belly.
So, let’s pause for a second and ask: Why did you start this business in the first place?
The Power of Reconnecting with Your ‘Why’
You might be thinking, “I know why I started. I needed to pay bills, and starting a business seemed like a good idea at the time!” And yes, that’s definitely a part of the equation. But there’s often something deeper, something more meaningful, lurking beneath the surface.
Reconnecting with your business’s original purpose can provide some serious clarity. It helps you evaluate whether your decisions are still aligned with your initial vision or if you’ve strayed off course somewhere along the way. Plus, if you’re feeling a bit burnt out or like you’re just going through the motions, reminding yourself of why you started can reignite that passion.
Here’s an effective exercise: Write down the reasons you started your business. No, not the “I want to make money” part. Get deeper. Was it to help people? To solve a problem that was bugging you? To work on something you love? Write it down.
If you’re feeling a little too deep into the hustle, take a moment to reconnect with that initial excitement. Trust me, it’s like a motivational shot of espresso.
Is Your Business Purpose Still the Same?
It’s normal for your business goals to evolve over time. You might have started with one vision and found new passions, opportunities, or challenges that led you down a different path. But the core of your purpose should still be there, guiding your decisions.
Here’s where the fun part comes in. Ask yourself a few of these questions:
1. Is my business still aligned with what I care about?
2. Am I making decisions based on the right reasons, or just reacting to external pressures?
3. Are my products or services still serving my customers in a meaningful way?
4. When I wake up in the morning, am I excited to dive into my work? Or am I just waiting for coffee to kick in?
If you’re not as excited as you were in the beginning, it might be time for a little re-evaluation.
And don’t worry—this doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means it’s time to take a step back, refocus, and make sure you’re still on the path that feels true to you.
Tuning Your Business Strategy to Your Purpose
Now, let’s talk strategy. You’ve rediscovered your purpose, and now it’s time to make sure your strategy reflects that purpose. It’s easy to get sidetracked by the latest trends, competition, or shiny new tech. But ask yourself: Does this strategy truly reflect your vision? Will it help you connect with your customers in a way that feels genuine?
Here’s a simple framework to follow:
1. Define your purpose. (Again, dig deep!)
2. Align your goals with your purpose. Make sure every business goal you set ties back to what truly matters to you.
3. Create strategies that reflect your values. Whether it’s marketing, customer service, or product development, everything should speak to your core mission.
Here’s an example of what I mean:
Let’s say you run a sustainable fashion brand that focuses on creating eco-friendly clothing with ethical sourcing practices. Your original vision was to offer stylish, high-quality fashion while minimizing environmental impact and promoting fair labor practices.
Over time, as your brand has grown, you’ve started to feel the pressure to follow fast-fashion trends or compete with bigger, cheaper brands. As a result, some of your marketing and product strategies have shifted in a direction that doesn’t fully align with your core values—such as producing more “affordable” clothing by sourcing materials that aren’t as eco-friendly or using marketing tactics that emphasize discounts over sustainability.
Now, it’s time to tune your strategy back to your original purpose.
Step 1: Revisit Your Purpose
Your purpose is to create beautiful, sustainable fashion that has a positive environmental and social impact. This means:
• Using materials that are eco-friendly or recycled.
• Ensuring workers in your supply chain are paid fairly.
• Providing your customers with transparency and education about the sustainability of your products.
Step 2: Align Your Business Goals with Your Purpose
Instead of aiming for higher sales by sacrificing quality or sustainability, your goal is to grow in a way that maintains your ethical standards. For example:
• Goal 1: Increase your product offerings of eco-friendly materials by 30% over the next year.
• Goal 2: Implement a more transparent supply chain and start providing your customers with clear information about where and how your clothes are made.
• Goal 3: Partner with like-minded sustainable brands or influencers to reach more customers who align with your values.
Step 3: Adjust Your Strategy
Now that you’ve aligned your goals with your purpose, it’s time to revise your strategy:
• Product Development: Focus on sourcing materials that are biodegradable or recycled, even if they’re more expensive. Your customers will appreciate that you’re staying true to your commitment to the environment.
• Marketing: Shift your messaging to emphasize the value of sustainability rather than focusing on price or discounts. For example, run a campaign that highlights how buying from your brand reduces waste in the fashion industry or how the clothing is made in fair-trade certified factories.
• Customer Engagement: Educate your customers on why sustainable fashion matters. Host events, write blogs, or create videos that explain the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion and how choosing your brand helps contribute to a better world.
Step 4: Monitor and Evolve
As you implement these changes, continuously check in with your purpose. Are your goals still aligned? Are your customers responding to your mission? Make adjustments as needed but keep that original purpose at the heart of your business decisions.
If your strategy is feeling a little lacking maybe it’s time to go back to the drawing board and ensure your efforts are working in harmony with your initial vision.
Wrap-Up: Why You Started vs. What You’re Doing Now
Being a business owner is tough. It’s like riding a rollercoaster with a blindfold on. But by taking a step back and reconnecting with the original reason you started, you can navigate those twists and turns with more confidence and clarity.
Also too, by aligning your strategy with your purpose, your business will not only feel more authentic, but it will also resonate more deeply with customers who care about your mission. Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re doing something meaningful while still making a profit.
It’s a win-win situation.
So, take a deep breath, remember why you started, and let that purpose guide you toward decisions that feel right.
Your business isn’t just a source of income; it’s an extension of your passion.
Let that passion fuel your next moves.
And hey, if you’re ever feeling lost in the chaos, it’s okay to take a break. Grab that cup of coffee, find a quiet space, and think about your “why.” Your future self will thank you.
Wishing you all the best to reconnecting with your purpose and making decisions that reflect what truly matters to you.
Keep climbing!
