I’m really not sure who coined this phrase but I’ve heard it multiple times over the years, across multiple different industries, and it holds significant truth.
If Your WHY Doesn’t Make You Cry, It’s Not Big Enough
WHY did you start your business? WHY do you get up every single day and work?
Everyone should have a WHY and there are no right or wrong answers here. But if you find yourself unmotivated to work or if you want to procrastinate on projects, then it’s time to re-examine the main reason for your business.
Name Your Reason – or Your WHY – for Starting a Business
Focusing on your WHY can help motivate you so write down your reason for starting a business. Did you want to fill your free time? Did you want to earn some play money or contribute to the family finances? Did you want to pay the medical bills of an aging parent or a sick child? Did you want to pay for your child’s higher education or private school tuition?
Writing these reasons down – no matter what they are because every person’s WHY will be different – should help motivate you to work hard. You should feel driven to make your business a success. You should be willing to tackle things outside your comfort zone because you know the end result will help your business.
If you’re not feeling motivated, then you need to dig deeper.
Don’t be Afraid to Examine Your Inner Feelings
Life is fluid and ever-changing so it stands to reason that your WHY would change over time as well. Even if you started your business because you didn’t know what to do once your kids were in full day school, you can change that WHY to something more meaningful now.
What are you passionate about that will get you hustling? Are you passionate about a cause or charity that can benefit from your financial assistance? Do you need to pull yourself up out of financial despair? Don’t be afraid to own that reason and fight for your business.
Don’t be Afraid to Switch Business Gears
For instance, if you have been in a service business for 10 years that haven’t been motivated to create any classes or products as a source of passive income. You might want to modify your services that align better with what you enjoys. Explore a deeper WHY.
Plenty of businesses add or subtract products or services or modify their mission statement. If something about your business doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to make changes.