The Importance of Purpose
Oftentimes when introducing new people to the concepts in the Pumpkin Plan Strategy, I notice that business owners think it is a one and done process. It absolutely does simplify and allow for exponential growth. And, the process will help you to
1.) decide who you are serving and what you do for them;
2.) describe your client avatar; and
3.) define your ideal client. But, this initial process is not enough for everything to fall into place.
At Tap the Potential, we take it even further to help our clients understand the importance of purpose.
Your Life’s Purpose
As the market changes, as your company changes, as your strengths grow—so does the need to review the 3 things you need to know to grow and meet your sweet spot (see graphic below). The required response is different for everyone. In order to feel successful, you must start with your own personal purpose: what you are meant to be doing in your life’s journey.
Having led clients through this process in a cohort setting, I’ve seen it can be challenging to take time to consider on a deeper level what your purpose is in life. Often, business owners put a lot of stress into the process because they think there is one right answer—one way. Answering big questions of “Who Am I? and “Why Am I Here” are naturally angst-producing and bring up all kinds of feelings around parent relationships, relationships with our children, and our colleagues. We suddenly consider questions like “Am I a good person? Or, “Am I off track somewhere in my life?” What does it mean either way?
Understanding Your Role
Your roles – as mother/father, daughter/son, sister/brother, and leader have extra meaning—not only to us, but to those who we are in relationship to within our roles. At some point in your life (perhaps in our younger years) you could just simply make a decision to take on one of these roles (or accept the role given to us) and it all worked for a long time. Until something begins to change and you begin to feel unsettled. Perhaps at first, it's not enough to do anything about it; but, it’s a nagging feeling you just can’t quite put our finger on it. People around you may begin to recognize your discomfort, but they don’t understand any better than you do what is causing it. Over time, it creates added stress in your relationships.
If you are in such a place with a similar nagging feeling, it may be time to set aside specific time to start asking yourself what the feeling might be; and what options you have for discovering what it means to you. By not doing this, you may create a great deal of suffering over potentially long periods of time which will inevitably touch every aspect of your life.
The Pumpkin Plan Advantage
Pumpkin Planning is all about infusing your personal purpose into the mission and vision of your company. When you begin to identify that purpose, getting to really know it and accept it, you’ll find a great sense of pride and a newfound energy! I have witnessed this in my own life. I felt a ‘fire in my belly’ once I discovered my purpose. You’ll be filled with motivation, which will propel you forward, especially when you must face difficult circumstances. It's a strong compelling reason for you to keep going.
Most of the population is asleep at the wheel. Not knowing what their purpose is, they wander through careers and relationships; sometimes satisfied, but often not knowing there is something better to experience. That nagging feeling that something should be different might be the internal voice telling you it's time to figure this out. Connecting the dots to your business while infusing your personal purpose into your mission and vision is like rocket fuel for a bigger impact.
It’s Within You, and Always Has Been
Your personal purpose has been with you from childhood. It is a unique combination of your natural talents and the application of them. The power is behind the choice. You actually get to to declare what you want your purpose to be. At your most honest authentic self—the talented person that you are, have always been, and will always be—should resolve any angst you have about picking the right purpose. It's likely right there in plain sight.
Simon Sinek talks about the significance of WHY. Why do you do what you do? Getting to that essence brings powerful awareness and it is important to your ideal customers too. It is part of your unique offering: the unique thing that you do that no one else does exactly the same way you or your company does. It’s time to discover you. Get Your Life Back.
Curious about Pumpkin Planning? Check out our Free Webinar!
You may also want to check out a recent Profit By Design Podcast: Pumpkin Plan Your Biz: A New and Stronger Normal with Donna Leyens.
Get in front of this now. Assess your level of entrepreneurial burnout and the health of your business. It's time to get your life back!
Stacey Seguin, Strategist at Tap the Potential
As a life-long learner, I’ve had many careers, as a certified corporate paralegal, a help desk manager working with shrink wrap and proprietary software, training and supporting 24/7/365 in a WAN environment, and starting multiple businesses including a lifestyle brand for girls ages 10-13.
I’m a calculated risk-taker.
Profitability brings stability. As a business owner, it becomes a way of life to ride the roller coaster of cash flow management. After 15 years of bootstrapping a multi-million dollar nationwide service provider in the private investigative industry, I know first hand the common experience of skipped paychecks and fear over making the next payroll. I have done the money dance at the post office weekly hoping those promised checks were actually delivered today.
I thrive in an environment of possibility and optimism, and can weather the stress of the unknown, but why do that when there is a better way?
That is what I found as a certified Profit First Professional. A better way. Being a business owner impacts every aspect of your personal life and your success in business is directly tied to your success as a human being.
Working on number management is only a part of what makes a business successful. In 2016 I discovered that Donna Leyens of the Provendus Group had co-created the tools and resources based on the Pumpkin Plan principles with Mike Michalowicz for business owners to bring three essential elements together- 1) knowing who you are as a business leader, 2) who your top clients are and 3) very precisely what you do for them. I knew immediately I’d found my calling as a Provendus Strategist linking everything I know about what makes a business exponentially great.
Experience, insight, and problem solving are my starting point for navigating business challenges. I eat sleep and breathe business and crave conversations with business owners.
My purpose is to bring insight and wisdom to guide direction and decision making for other business leaders and get tremendous satisfaction when helping others advance their goals.
