If there is one thing we noticed about founders who keep pushing forward no matter what comes at them, it is their sense of purpose. Building a more sustainable world, changing an outdated industry, or proving that the impossible can be done. A strong purpose is the foundation for resilience.
We also see the other side. Founders who drift away from their purpose, or lose it altogether, struggle to stay motivated. When the why fades through pivots or through getting lost in the workload, it gets harder to bounce back, to inspire your team and to push through. So check in with your purpose, and with yourself, on a regular basis.
Check in with yourself
- Why did you found your company?
- Do you have a Big Hairy Audacious Goal?
- Does the company purpose line up with your personal values and goals?
- Do you still feel that personal drive and passion?
- In the last few weeks, how much of your daily work moved you toward that bigger goal?
- What would it take to bring your activities back in line with your purpose?
Acting on your purpose
- Take time to reflect on your personal purpose, then look at your calendar of the past month and name one thing you will change.
- Host a team session to revisit the purpose. A vision canvas works well to line up vision, progress and daily work.
- Bring it into a Founder Circle. Purpose is one of the themes we work through with peers who carry the same weight.
Where to start
Take the Founder Resilience Scan. You check yourself across the 8 themes, see where you can grow and get concrete next steps.
