Understanding Your "Why"

Starting your own exercise physiology business can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to running a business. Understanding your "why" – your purpose, goals, and values – is the first and most important step to building a business you love and creating meaningful impact in your clients' lives.

Your "why" serves as your foundation. It fuels your passion, keeps you motivated during tough times, and helps you make decisions with clarity and confidence. When your purpose is clear, everything else in your business starts to align – from the clients you attract to the services you offer.

How to Define Your "Why"

1. Reflect on Your Purpose
Ask yourself:

  • Why did I become an Exercise Physiologist?

  • What impact do I want to have on my clients' lives?

  • What problems am I passionate about solving?

Example: "I became an EP because I want to empower people to regain independence and live pain-free lives through movement."

2. Set Clear Goals
Your goals provide direction and help measure your success. Break them into:

  • Short-Term Goals: Attracting your first 5 clients, creating referral relationships.

  • Long-Term Goals: Expanding your services, growing into a team-based practice.

Use the SMART framework to create goals:

  • Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve?

  • Measurable: How will you track progress?

  • Achievable: Is it realistic?

  • Relevant: Does it align with your vision?

  • Time-bound: When do you want to achieve it?

Example: "I want to attract 5 new NDIS clients within the next 3 months by reaching out to local support coordinators."

3. Identify Your Core Values
Your values are what you stand for as a business owner. They shape your interactions with clients, partners, and your community.

To identify your values:

  • Reflect on experiences that made you proud or fulfilled.

  • Think about qualities you admire in others.

  • Choose 3-5 core values that represent you (e.g., empathy, professionalism, inclusivity).

Example Values Statement:
"Empathy, education, and empowerment guide everything I do for my clients."

Crafting Your "Why" Statement

Your "why" statement is a simple but powerful expression of your purpose. It combines your purpose, goals, and values into a single statement that can guide your decisions and inspire your clients.

Template:
"I [your purpose], by [how you achieve it], so that [impact on clients/community]."

Example:
"I help people regain confidence and independence through tailored exercise programs, so they can live their best lives."

How Your "Why" Shapes Your Business

  • Guides Your Decisions: From choosing services to creating a marketing strategy, your "why" keeps you focused.

  • Connects You with Clients: People are drawn to authentic businesses that have a clear purpose.

  • Inspires Growth: A strong "why" can motivate you to keep going and expand your impact.

Join Us to Discover Your "Why"

As part of our 6-week program for EP business owners, we’ll help you:

  • Reflect deeply on your purpose.

  • Clarify your goals using proven frameworks.

  • Craft a values-driven "why" statement that sets your business apart.

Defining your "why" is just the beginning of building a business you’re proud of. Join our program today and take the first step toward creating meaningful impact and long-term success.