What is your Why?

If you’ve ever asked yourself, ‘why am I really doing this?’, you’re not alone.

 And, in fact, that question is very important. It shows that sometimes we lose sight of the original purpose we had, and we need to realign with why we started.

 Or sometimes we never knew our vision in the first place, we just had an idea and ran with it, never stopping to think about the purpose.

 But knowing your business purpose is crucial. Not what you’re doing, not how you’re doing it, but why.

 When you delve into this, your Why becomes clear – it’s the deeper reason that fuels your actions, the driving choice behind your choices and the foundation for your persistence in business.

Unfortunately, it’s a fact of life that challenges will always come, but by knowing your business purpose you will be equipped to keep moving forward in your business.

The purpose of knowing your Why …

Last time, we looked at the importance of knowing your Why. This time we’re focusing on the purpose of knowing your Why – what will it achieve for your business?

 Knowing your business purpose isn’t just about having a vision statement written down in a long-forgotten notepad. It’s about having a founding principle which guides everything that you do.

 Establishing your Why brings meaning to your working routine, significance to the energy you invest, and reasons for your customers to buy into your business.

 It transforms ordinary goals into purposeful missions.

 Have you ever got to the end of a project and then realised that it hasn’t contributed to the direction of your business?

 Or perhaps you launched a new product or service, only to find that it actually took you further from where you wanted your business to go.

 That’s because, whether you were aware of it or not, these things weren’t aligned with your Why.

 Knowing your business purpose is the difference between running in circles and moving towards a goal that matters to you.

 Zoe says, “you’ll find that when your Why is clear, your How becomes stronger, decisions become easier, motivation lasts longer, and even things which look like setbacks become stepping stones instead of hurdles.”

How to find your Why

We’ve seen there’s great importance in knowing your Why, as it will help you to make good decisions about your business direction, as well as assess progress and achievements.

 But maybe you’re wondering how to find your Why – what is it?

 For some, it’s family. For others, they’re looking for freedom or growth.

 Perhaps you dream of being able to provide a particular service, or leave a legacy for years to come.

 Take a moment now and try to define what it is for you.

 What is it that drives your business, and how will you know you’re succeeding?

 If you can, summarise it in a short sentence and take the time right now to write it down, and say it out loud.

 If you can remind yourself of your Why each day, it will stop you from investing your time and energy into projects which don’t help you to meet your goals.

 In contrast, focusing on knowing your business purpose is the way to establish a brand with clear intention and unstoppable vision.

 Why not keep a written note of your Why somewhere prominent – your desk, or a noticeboard – so that you can always have it in the front of your mind and as a visual reminder of your purpose?

Register to The Reality Check for more help with knowing your business purpose and finding your Why

If you’re ready to hear more about how to find your Why and the ways that it will revolutionise your business, The Reality Check is for you.

You can register online, and it’s completely free!

I founded Ask Zoe because I want to help people to reach their full potential, and this is one of the resources I’ve been most excited to share with you all.

One of the amazing things that’s sprung up because of Ask Zoe is a supportive network of likeminded business owners who want to learn from each other, and tapping into The Reality Check is a great way to get involved in that.

If you’d like to be the first to know when The Reality Check goes live, then don’t miss out – follow this link to sign up for updates and make sure you find out first-hand when the time has come.

I’m ready to see business owners find their purpose in 2026, to make decisions in line with their Why and watch their businesses reach new highs as a result.

If you want to be a part of it, then sign up for our newsletter and get ready to see the changes in store for you this year as you get to grips with knowing your business purpose better.