One thing I have learned through talking to and working with other ‘purpose-driven’ business owners is that purpose can mean something slightly different to each of us.

For me, it’s a feeling that lives in my body, such that when my purpose bucket is filled up I am able to be present, feel fulfilled and find meaning in my work. Things feel clearer and simpler. I have a trust and some sort of inner knowing. When the purpose bucket isn't filled up, I have this little niggle inside that distracts me and leaves me with a sense of longing for something I can't put my finger on.

I notice that when my purpose bucket is filled up, it’s usually because these three things are true:

•  I feel like I’m helping other people and contributing to a bigger cause 🌎

• I see this to be true by having tangible results to show for my efforts 🌿

• What I’m doing on a day to day basis is stretching me out of my comfort zone, just the right amount ⛰

In short, knowing that I want to be doing good in the world isn’t enough. I also need to be taking action, getting things done and helping the people I want to work with in one way or another.

I think that what often happens, with me and maybe with you too, is that we focus so intently on the desire to do good and pour endless time, energy and effort into creating an amazing new product or service, only for it to flop, or more likely receive little to no reaction.

This can feel very confusing and slightly heartbreaking and so we start to doubt everything, including why we even started the business in the first place. 

The tendency is to go back and either change the price or design something new. Which rarely works.

And so we wonder if all the time, energy and effort has been spent in vain (it hasn't, it's all a learning!).

Instead what we need to is learn to love the problem, rather than get fixated on the solution.

When you spend time really understanding the problem you are addressing (rather than pouring all of your energy into tweaking the solution without a lot to go on), only then can you make changes to the offering that actually mean something.

The best way I know to do this is to find out more about the people you want to help, even if they are someone exactly like you! Having their input into what exactly the service or product is, how you describe it, price it and promote it is such a stronger foundation for making meaningful tweaks and changes.

With that in mind, here are five ways you can start delving deeper into the problem you solve for people, and in doing so find quick ways to bring more purpose to your work:

1. Book a 30min market research call with someone who would be a good fit customer for you

2. Describe your ideal customer to ChatGPT and ask questions about their challenges and ways to solve them

3. Poll your followers on Instagram Stories

4. Read reviews of books that your customers may be using to help

5. Look at any feedback you have from past customers and clients to see if there are any themes

Or, simply think about ways you have solved the problem for yourself and what you would have wished for at the time.

If you have questions about any of these, or if you give them a go, I'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and let me know.