Defining Your Entrepreneurial Purpose

Aligning Business Decisions with Your ‘Why’

As an entrepreneur, your journey is driven by passion, determination, and a unique sense of purpose. This ‘why’ isn't just a statement but the heart and soul of your venture. It's the compass guiding your ship, ensuring that you stay true to your vision, mission, and core values. But as your business grows, the number of decisions you need to make exponentially multiplies, making it crucial to have a strategic framework aligned with your 'why.'

1. The Significance of Your ‘Why’:

Your 'why' is more than a mission statement. It's the reason you get up every day, face challenges, and continue to push forward. It serves two significant roles:

• Direction: It provides a clear path and understanding of where you want to go.

• Motivation: During tough times, it's the reminder of why you started in the first place.

2. The Power of Alignment:

Making decisions aligned with your 'why' ensures consistency, trustworthiness, and authenticity in your operations. It transforms customers into loyal advocates and employees into dedicated team members.

3. Strategic Frameworks for Decision Making:

• The WHY-Filter:

  Before every decision, ask: Does this align with why I started my business? If it doesn’t, reconsider the decision or refocus the approach.

• Goal-Setting with Purpose:

  Implement the S.M.A.R.T framework but with a twist—every goal must resonate with your 'why'.

• The Decision Matrix:

  A grid where one axis rates decisions on their alignment with your ‘why’ and the other on the impact on your business. Those that score high on both axes are your top priorities.

• Feedback Loop System:

  Regularly gather feedback from your team and customers. Evaluate if your operations resonate with your 'why' from their perspective.

4. Tips for Timely and Aligned Decisions:

• Stay Educated: Be aware of the latest trends and changes in your industry.

• Diverse Consultation: Seek diverse opinions but make sure they know your 'why.'

• Revisit Your 'Why': As you grow, your 'why' may evolve. Regularly revisit and adjust if needed.

• Trust Your Intuition: Sometimes, the gut feeling is the best indicator of alignment.

Your entrepreneurial purpose is the backbone of your venture. By aligning every decision with your 'why' and using strategic frameworks, you ensure a holistic, purpose-driven approach to business growth.

Worksheet: Aligning Business Decisions with Your 'Why'

Purpose Statement: Write down your ‘why’ or purpose statement for your business. This will serve as the touchstone for all the decisions and strategies you evaluate in this worksheet.

Your ‘Why’: _________________________________________________________________

Section 1: Evaluating Recent Decisions

Reflect on the last three major decisions you made for your business. Did they align with your 'why'?

1. Decision: ________________________________________________________

   How it aligns with your 'why': _______________________________________________

   Any misalignment or concerns: _______________________________________________

2. Decision: ________________________________________________________

   How it aligns with your 'why': _______________________________________________

   Any misalignment or concerns: _______________________________________________

3. Decision: ________________________________________________________

   How it aligns with your 'why': _______________________________________________

   Any misalignment or concerns: _______________________________________________

Section 2: The WHY-Filter

Think of an upcoming decision or strategy you're considering for your business. Apply the WHY-Filter.

Upcoming Decision/Strategy: ________________________________________________

Does this align with your ‘why’? (Yes/No)

If yes, how? __________________________________________________________________

If no, what changes can be made to ensure alignment? ____________________________

Section 3: Goal-Setting with Purpose

Set three goals for the next quarter, ensuring each resonates with your 'why'. Use the S.M.A.R.T framework.

1. Goal: _________________________________________________________

   Specific: ________________________________________________________

   Measurable: ____________________________________________________

   Achievable: _____________________________________________________

   Relevant to your 'why': ___________________________________________

   Time-bound: ____________________________________________________

2. Goal: _________________________________________________________

   Specific: ________________________________________________________

   Measurable: ____________________________________________________

   Achievable: _____________________________________________________

   Relevant to your 'why': ___________________________________________

   Time-bound: ____________________________________________________

3. Goal: _________________________________________________________

   Specific: ________________________________________________________

   Measurable: ____________________________________________________

   Achievable: _____________________________________________________

   Relevant to your 'why': ___________________________________________

   Time-bound: ____________________________________________________

Section 4: Feedback Loop

Identify three key stakeholders (can be team members, customers, partners) from whom you can gather feedback about whether your operations resonate with your 'why'.

1. Stakeholder: ________________________

   Feedback: ______________________________________________________

2. Stakeholder: ________________________

   Feedback: ______________________________________________________

3. Stakeholder: ________________________

   Feedback: ______________________________________________________

Conclusion:

Review the insights you've gathered in this worksheet. Identify areas where there's strong alignment with your 'why' and areas that require adjustment. Create an action plan to bring more alignment where needed. Remember, staying true to your purpose is a continuous process!