As accountants, it might seem natural to start a conversation with numbers—your turnover, your profit, your tax bill. But at Adaptive Accountancy, we believe there’s a more important question to begin with:
Why are you in business?
This isn’t just a feel-good question. It’s the foundation for everything else—your goals, your growth strategy, and even how you manage your finances. On a recent client call, we talked about this very topic, and I wanted to share some thoughts that could help other business owners too.
Finding Your Purpose in Business
Many people go into business because they think they can do better than their previous employer. But what keeps you going through the hard days? What truly motivates you?
Understanding your purpose—your “why”—does more than just inspire you. It:
- Gives you clarity on what you’re working toward
- Helps you enjoy your business more
- Can create a bigger impact on your community or causes you care about
This purpose could be anything from giving your family a better life to supporting a local charity that means a lot to you. For one of our clients, it was using his business profits to support a cause close to his heart—and that made every sale feel more meaningful.
Two Great Books to Help You Discover Your Why
If you’re not sure what your deeper purpose is yet, here are two books I often recommend:
1. “What’s Your Dream?” by Simon Squibb
Simon travels around asking everyday people what their dreams are. It’s a powerful reminder that many of us fall into jobs or businesses that don’t really reflect what we once imagined for our lives. This book (and his videos) are a great starting point to reconnect with that.
2. “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek
This is a more structured, business-focused book. It helps you uncover what drives you and how to communicate that clearly—both to yourself and your clients.
Purpose First. Then the Plan.
Here’s how we like to structure things at Adaptive Accountancy:
- Start with your purpose – Why are you doing this?
- Set long-term goals – What kind of life or impact do you want?
- Build the roadmap – What turnover, profits, and systems do we need to help you get there?
- Track progress in real-time – With proper controls, forecasts, and financial planning.
Only after understanding your why do the numbers start to make sense.
Why Purpose Matters More Than Just Making Money
Yes—profit matters. But beyond a certain point, more money doesn’t make you happier. What does make a difference is what that money allows you to do: give back, create jobs, or support your lifestyle in a way that feels good.
We often admire people like Bill Gates not just for their wealth, but for how they use it to cure diseases and improve lives. Purpose makes money powerful.
Your Accountant Should Understand That
Too often, business owners work with accountants who only look backwards—at tax returns and year-end figures. That’s not enough.
You need someone who:
- Understands the mindset of a business owner (because they’ve been there)
- Can talk about real goals, not just tax codes
- Helps build a business that serves you, not the other way around
That’s how we approach things at Adaptive. We’re here to grow with you—not just do your books.
Want to talk about your goals—and how we can help you get there?
