Every Solopreneur Should Know Their Why

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Solopreneurship is not the right career choice for everyone. You have to do things you’ve never done before and push your boundaries, all while trying to earn a living. It takes courage, persistence and grit because fear, uncertainty, and doubt—FUD—is always lurking, trying to coax you back to the safety of a “real job.”

That’s why it’s extra important to understand why you’re taking the path of self-employment. Is it for common reasons like autonomy and flexibility, or is it so you can pursue one of your passions? Answering this question is important, but it’s woefully inadequate.

When times get tough (and they will at some point), you’ll need to remind yourself why you’ve taken the road less travelled as a solopreneur. That’s when you’ll want to pull out your personal manifesto—your Why document—to inspire yourself to push through your current challenge. This is why I encourage you to literally write down your answers to these questions.

  • Why do you want to be self-employed?

  • What are you looking to get away from, and/or what are you looking to add to your life?

  • What do you envision for yourself? What will a typical day or week look like?

  • How will you feel once you’re successfully self-employed?

  • How much money do you want to make? The more specific you can be, the better. For example, “I want to make at least X dollars a year,” or “I want to make enough money to pay for an amazing family vacation every year.”

  • How will being self-employed impact your health?  Will you be able to exercise more or eat a healthier diet?

  • How will being self-employed affect your relationships with your family, significant other, and/or friends? 

This may seem like a waste of time—like just a fluffy exercise—but trust me, it’s well worth taking the time to do it.

I’m reminded of Simon Sinek’s famous TED Talk How to Discover Your "Why" in Difficult Times where he emphatically states: “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.  If you don’t know why you do what you do, then how will you ever get people to hire you?”

Plus, whenever FUD rears its ugly head, knowing your why will keep you going.

Do it now. Don’t procrastinate! Doing this for even ten minutes is better than none.  Download this “North Star” Word template to get you started.

Go for it! Be your best.