What do you really want from your business?
I was recently asked what do I really want from my business. My answer? Is that even the right question to ask at all?
Ideate
“When thinking about strategy, ideas and direction of travel as a solo founder I often get caught up in the everyday and the opinions of others. But today I was asked, what do you really want? I had to really think about it. And even thought, does it really matter?...”
I think my colleague wanted to know more about my goals. However the answer to the question really does depend on what we think the question actually is. What do you mean by “really” and “want”? Is it what I personally want? Is it what I think is best? Best for me, or best for the business?
Questioning questions is a thought process that has been around for longer than we think. In fact, there is even a line of questioning titled “Socratic Questioning” named after the great philosopher Socrates himself. Socrates posed question after question to his students on a whole range of beliefs and ideas they held. From clarifying the question itself, to probing the reasons and assumptions we naturally hold when asked anything by anyone.
Iterate
For me, clarifying why the question was important, and why I struggled to answer it, has been the most recent iteration running around my brain. I’ve posed the question numerous times, and after much rumination, I’ve given my conclusion below.
So is “what do you really want from your business” the right question? I don’t think so. I think it should be “What do we want the work we do, to provide in our lives. How is it that our business can support those desires?”. Okay, so maybe it’s a little more wordy…but boy is the answer different!
What do I want the work I do, to provide in my life? How can my business support those desires?
As a neurodivergent ADHD’er, I perform better when I’m interested. Asking questions, really hearing the answers makes me enjoy my work more. Who doesn’t want to be fulfilled by their work, right? We ask questions all the time as kids, it’s a skill that is somehow worn out of us in school, it’s something I want to bring more of into my life.
As a small boutique business owner, I am the core of my business, so it makes sense that introspection is part of our creativity process. Something new and stimulating everyday keeps me at the heart of all of the activity, it keeps me focused, forces me to learn new skills; to adapt and evolve.
As a solo founder, I need the introspection to grow. Or I need an excellent and honest team around me to support and challenge me to grow. Building those relationships makes me want to be better, and to do more.
In conclusion? What I really want with my business isn't really business related at all. What I want from my business is something that only entrepreneurship can provide in my life…
Freedom. Of my time, my creativity, my ways of working.
Entrepreneurship everyday, problem solving, quick thinking; improving myself.
Being surrounded by inspiring people and people I can inspire too.
But overall as an entrepreneur, I guess we want to experience growth.
Implement
Your turn, play Socrates!
👀 What do you really want from your business?
🧠 Does the question even matter?
⭐️ What can your business provide in your life? How can your business support those desires?