Why Are You In Business?
My youngest daughter turned two in November, and I think she’s starting to hit her stride.
Every other word she utters is, “Why?”
Every answer to her, “Why?” is followed up with another, “Why?”
And so I started thinking: That’s a great question.
Why do you do what you do?
Why is your work, your work?
Why do you stay at it? Why do you love it? Why?
In Jim Collins’ landmark book, Built to Last (Good to Great, his more famous book, was written as a prequel to Built to Last), he shares an exercise which is profound (and profoundly simple) for getting at the deeper reasons for what you do. He calls it The Five Why’s:
Start with the descriptive statement, “We make X products” or “we deliver X services,” and then ask “why is that important?” five times. After a few whys, you’ll find that you’re getting down to the fundamental purpose of the organization.
When you ask, “why?”, five-levels deep, where are you taken?
I’m taken to some of my core beliefs that motivate my work, and the kinds of differences I want to make in the world. And when I do that, the reasons why I do what I do come into really clear focus. And, they expand.
When I started Monk At Work, I was coming from ten years of working as a spiritual and energetic healer, using my intuitive abilities to help people know why they were sick, what they needed to do to get well, and then help them get there, through personal development and spiritual growth.
And yet, when I asked myself, “Why?”, the reasons always came down to my desires to make the world a better place. I realized that in order to do that on the scale I wanted to, in the way I wanted to, I would have to change just about everything about my business. And so, I did.
Now, I teach spiritual development, intuition, and productivity (well, I used to…). But why?
- Because if you can become the best of who you were born to be, open your heart to your patrons, know what they need, and then get good enough at doing things to actually get done the things that will help your people, then you can create a remarkable business. But why?
- Because if you create a remarkable, client-centered business that truly serves people, you are becoming an immensely deep, beloved friend for your patrons. But why?
- Well, besides making obvious business sense (talk about laying the ground for rich client relationships, lifelong customers, and a reason to spread the word!), it’s because that’s what people long for. Love. Richness. A great life. And your business can help foster that. But why?
- Because the more love that exists in the world, the better world we have to live in. More love = more happiness = more respect for self and others = more caring for, well, everything… including the environment, the needy, and those who are in your world, in one way or another.
So, those are four of my Why’s (no one says you have to get to five). And, it’s also the foundation, message, and vision of my business. Now you know what Monk At Work is all about:
I’m here to help you become a beloved friend to your patrons, and in turn, create rich, meaningful lives for all.
The “how” is through spirituality, productivity, and intuition, of course… but that’s a discussion we can get further into at another time.
What are your Why’s? I’d love to hear.
Potentially related posts:
Well done! Why oh why oh why. You’ve done a great job answering the whys of why you blog and the challenge of answering the question of whether or not your blog and “you” makes a difference in the world around you. Applause!
Hi Adam
The first book by Jim Collins and Co is still on my wish-list (restricted myself to a very strict diet of buying new books though) and am a great fan of Good to Great.
As for my 4 or 5, well, I can only echo, repeat yours
We have experienced that keeping to those 4, 5 why’s we become ourselves more happier, followed by even more happy interactions with new customers who turn into happy customers, which makes us even happier (for the good, but also proper business reason).
It seems that a proper ‘why-circle’ never ends
Lorelle: Thanks for coming by; to paraphrase Margaret Mead, ‘a small group of committed individuals can change the world.’ I’m just feeling honored to meet so many others who share similar dreams and passions.
Karin: I know what you mean on the ‘restricted diet’
I read about 90% of ‘Built to Last’ on a flight from Detroit to Portland years ago; I just devoured it, taking notes the whole way. I loved it.
And then, when Good to Great came out, I jumped on it, too — and I felt like lightning had struck twice. Great read.
And how cool that you’re talking about happiness at work; I think that’s a crucial element in the whole piece (post to come soon!); if we’re happy, it sends waves of happiness, just like Midas, through all we do.
Hi Adam (question for you, do I call you Adam or Monk?
)
I’m sure I will read Built to Last some time this year (during one of my ‘garden vacations’ no doubt).
And yes, I found happiness in my work (I should add finally, but like I told my mentor yesterday: it’s more a mind set you have to find). And it is contagious, definitely.
Hi Karin — Adam is fine.
And yes, it’s the mindset, or orientation, depending on how you look at it.
The Sufis would say (or at least this Sufi would
) that everything starts with the heart, and flows downstream to the mind from there.
Wow–Adam. I just stumbled upon your blog today, and you’re a soul-brother on a similar path. : )
I enjoyed this simple yet profound exercise. My 5 were:
1. Because holistic values make the world a healthier place.
2. Because I can help the healers make more money.
3. Because my “reach” extends to an outer tier of helping many more people (symbols not words on this one.)
4. Because I’m supposed to be living/working in that outer tier (more of a global level.)
5. Because I was born to do this.
Hi Jaya — welcome to the conversation.
I dig your #5… it reminds me of how Jim Collins talks about (in Good to Great) that when people and companies really click into their purpose, they see/realize that they were made to do what they’re doing, as if they were genetically designed for it.
It feels great to click in to that level of certainty, doesn’t it?
Adam,
…sounds like your 5th “why” is so the world will be a better place for your children.
Hi Adam,
Hmmm. It looks like you just swiped the newsletter idea I was about to sit down to write. Maybe there’s something to this psychic thing. (8-> Only text smileys available here). Time to take another look at my mindmap for this issue.
Actually, I’m working on a tangent of the same idea and it parallels some of the change in direction I’m contemplating for my own business. (Inspired in part by what you and Dawud have put together here — Fine job on this blog btw)
Best,
Jeff
fellow stay at home dad
Pam: Good one — and very true.
And it’s great to see you here! Thanks again for the time you gave me last Fall… as you can see, clarity is ever-growing!
Jeff: Yep, being highly intuitive has its perks, the least of which are:
1. Scooping blog post topics,
(we have some smilies available…)
2. Never losing at rock-paper-scissors, and
3. Winning prizes by always knowing how many jellybeans are in those big jars.
I can’t wait to hear more about your “tangent”… (okay, so the psychic thing isn’t always the easiest way to find out things!)
Adam said, “I can’t wait to hear more about your ‘tangent’…”
Well, the blog is new.
I’ll work on it as I learn how to use the medium.
The compass analogy came to me as I was contemplating taking the leap into blogging.
Jeff, just followed the link to your blog. Sounds (and looks) interesting. I’ve added it to my reader, looking forward to learn more about ‘home’ – and your grandfather.
Jeff: I checked out your blog the other day — I love the reference-style you used for the nifonged idea.
The compass analogy is a good one, too. I’m looking forward to seeing more about the ‘conversation’ theme as you write about it.
Karin (and others): I met Jeff last year in California — and right away was amazed by his passion and conviction. His blog will be a good one to pay attention to, that’s for sure.