Redefine Your Why and Align with Your Purpose
Redefine Your Why and Align with Your Purpose
by Sherri E. Goodall
Why My “Why” Changed
As a business owner, I began my journey to create a legacy of income for my family and to achieve something unprecedented in my family. But when my family dynamics shifted, I felt lost and unmotivated about my business. I even considered returning to a full-time job—an idea that left me feeling even sadder. That’s when I realized the problem: my “why” no longer fit my life. I needed to redefine it.
Maybe you’re in a similar place, feeling disconnected from the purpose that once fueled you. Let’s explore how to redefine your “why” and realign your life and business with your authentic self.
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What Not to Do When Redefining Your “Why
- Don’t Tie Your “Why” to Specific People or Groups: Anchoring your purpose to others can make you vulnerable to external changes like shifts in relationships or circumstances.
- Avoid Emotional Dependency: A purpose based on people may lead to burnout and diminish resilience during life transitions.
What to Focus On Instead
Base your “why” on a passion, value, or vision that resonates deeply with you. This approach builds a purpose that evolves alongside your growth, keeping you grounded and motivated.
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Why a Strong “Why” Matters in Business
A clear and meaningful “why” serves as:
- Your Decision-Making Compass: It guides your business choices and keeps you focused on what truly matters.
- A Source of Motivation: It sustains you during challenging times and prevents burnout.
- A Path to Fulfillment: Connecting daily tasks to your purpose makes setbacks easier to navigate and keeps the passion alive.
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Recognizing When Your “Why” Needs Redefining
Here are **three signs** it’s time to reevaluate your purpose:
1. **Disenchantment**: You feel uninspired or unfulfilled.
2. **Stagnant Growth**: Your business seems stuck.
3. **Disconnect**: Your current work no longer resonates with you.
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Align Your Business Vision with Your Current Self
Your business should reflect your personal growth and evolving passions. Here’s how:
The ALIGN Framework
Use this five-step framework to realign your business with your redefined “why”:
- A – Assess Core Values and Vision: Write down your top 3–5 values that matter most now.
- L – Look at Customer Impact: Evaluate how your offerings align with the impact you want to create.
- I – Identify Misalignments: Analyze recent business decisions and strategies to uncover areas of disconnect.
- G – Generate New Strategies: Brainstorm actionable steps to bring misaligned areas into harmony with your “why.”
- N – Nurture Consistent Alignment: Create a system to regularly check in and ensure your business stays aligned with your evolving purpose.
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Reigniting Energy and Inspiration
When your motivation wanes, try these **three strategies** to rekindle your “why”:
1. Revisit Success Stories: Reflect on moments of impact or significant achievements to reconnect with the value your business creates.
2. Set Fresh, Personal Goals: Pursue a new goal that excites you—whether it’s launching a service, starting a creative project, or leading a community initiative.
3. Collaborate with Like-Minded Peers: Engage in networking events, masterminds, or mentorships to gain fresh perspectives and renewed enthusiasm.
Call to Action:
Ask yourself, *“What am I most excited about as I move forward?”*
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Closing: Embracing Change as a Growth Opportunity
Redefining your “why” can feel daunting, but it’s also an opportunity for deeper fulfillment and business growth. Commit to one small step today to realign your purpose and rediscover your passion.
Let this quote by James Belasco and Ralph Stayer inspire you:
“Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up.”
