As creative entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind. Owning a business is a challenging journey, with many risks and rewards. To stay rooted, you need to know if that journey is worth taking. And if so, why? Having a deep understanding of your why, will influence everything you do. Today, we will define your why statement and discover the heart and soul of your business.

Start With Why

For most of us, a meaningful purpose lies within us, and it can be found within a few minutes of conscious aware thinking.

Your why statement should be the reason you jump out of bed everyday. Click To Tweet

It is the foundation for every decision you make. It is your purpose and the reason your business exists.

You can’t identify with your brand until you identify your why statement.

[blockquote author=”Elie Wiesel” ] Our obligation is to give meaning to life, and in doing so to overcome the passive, indifferent life[/blockquote]

Back in September 2009, Simon Sinek, a best-selling author and optimist, presented his tips to leaders at a TED event on how to inspire action and lead with your why. The following 18 minutes are worth every second of your time.

Define Your Why

If you dont understand the purpose and passion behind your business, how effectively will you sell your service? People need to feel connected and engaged with what you offer. You need to build a brand of self awareness and understanding.

 Your why needs to be clear and defined before you even begin your business.

It will keep you disciplined and focused through the ups and downs of entreprenuerialship. Having your why clearly defined will be the foundation to your success.

Carve out a few hours, and really dive into it. When you get to the answers that start explaining the inspired reason for what you’re trying to achieve in your business, then make a statement.

Then, put it all together, and post it on your wall. Share it with your fans. Blog about it, tweet about it. Share it and shout it to the world! In the end, your why will be the foundation for every decision you make in your business.

Ask yourself these questions :

Why are you in business?

Why did you choose your industry to make money in?

What gets you excited about what you do?

Why is that important?

What does it achieve?

 

Don’t put this off, this exercise can be the difference between your success and failure. Your why gives your business a purpose, and direction and focus. It will be the drive, passion and fuel to help you survive the ups and downs of owning a business.

What Is Our Why?

We want to be together and continually strengthen our relationship

When we started dating junior year of high school, we talked on the phone a LOT. We couldn’t get enough of each other and we still can’t. As full time destination wedding photographers, we work from home and spend all of our time together, which in turn has strengthened our relationship.

We believe in marriage.

We get to meet the greatest couples at the beginning of their new journey together. We get to share our relationship with them and cheer them on during their wedding day.

It’s no secret that we love to preserve memories. We are currently sitting at thousands of photos on our hard drive and a trunk stuffed with ticket stubs, pictures, letters and other goodies. We feel so lucky to capture incredible moments for incredible people.

Use Your Why

Use it everywhere. In your bio, etc. Design a business with potential and purpose. Once you determine what your why statement is going to be, make it your filter for everything. Question your intentions before taking action. It’s too easy to give up when times get tough. It’s too easy to defeat yourself. But don’t. Remind yourself of your why. Can free you of feelings of comparison, and celebrate the uniqueness of you.

Still stuck and can’t determine your WHY? Ask yourself these questions :

What do I love?

Why do I love it?

What talents do I have?

What are my dreams?

Why are these dreams important?

When and where do I find joy in my life?

Why do I find joy in that?

What is your why? Tell us in the comments below.