What is the meaning of (your business) life?

All successful businesses have figured this out.

It’s the question most owners find incredibly difficult to answer when first asked.

But, once they do, it completely changes their outlook. It’s that big.

Why are you in business?

This isn’t unique to you and your business. It’s the question that drives all human endeavour.

Had we not started asking “why”, it’s quite likely we’d still be living in caves. It’s the question philosophers have been struggling with for centuries.

Why do we need to fill our days with meaningful activities?

There’s nothing wrong with having the business morals of a nineteenth-century mill owner, prepare yourself for the consequences.

The reason you’re in business isn’t to make money. If you think that, you may as well click away straight away. Before you do so though, consider two things:

• Making money is a happy consequence of what you do, not why you do it
• People don’t buy what you do anyway; they buy what you believe in

The last line comes from the third most popular TED talk of all time *, Simon Sinek’s 2009 “How great leaders inspire action”.

Why do you buy stuff?

Think about that for a minute. What drives your purchase choices? Why do you buy from one brand rather than another?

Because you can relate to them for some reason? Humans are tribal animals, and we surround ourselves with people like us or that we aspire to be. We also tend to do business with those kinds of people.

I’m not getting all “happy clappy” on you here. That’s the last thing I am.

Like you, I work to make money, and I’m not particularly afraid of saying that. However, I want to serve those that I work with, not screw them over.

So:

• What is your relationship with your business? It’s central to this question
• What is your vision for your life and your business in the short, medium and long-term?
• What are the values that underpin the way you work?

When I was younger, I wanted to be an architect. I’ll pass on the details of why I didn’t make it, but that passion for design never went away. My long-term vision is a Grand Designs house overlooking the sea.

Why do I love this?

I love the freedom of getting up every morning and working for clients telling their stories. I want to help people like you tell your story because you are not some generic “me too” business, you have things to say.

A combination of copywriting and storytelling will help you be a success.

I suppose it’s all because I just love what I do.

What about you?

Have you worked it out yet?

Put your answers in the comments.