I used to wince whenever I heard a business coach ask me about my mission, because my response was always the same:

“JEEZ! I dunno. I just want to earn good money, make people’s lives easier, and have time to go to a yoga class in the middle of the day if I want to. The end. I’m not leading a movement here.”

Until I got it.

I actually have a mission.

Specifically, I want to help yoga teachers and spiritual entrepreneurs and inspire and empower them to grow their online presence.

The reason this is so near and dear to my heart, is that this is me. I’ve done a lot of cool things in my corporate career, handled million-dollar projects, worked for clients like Coca Cola or BMW, but when I started as a yoga teacher and build my first website, this whole online marketing world for small businesses was foreign to me. I know what that feels like and I want to serve those who struggle with the same problems.

This is what actually excites me and gets me up in the morning.

Being clear on what’s your mission will give you the inspiration that guides how you think, how you act and how you communicate.

When you are clear on your mission and let this inspire everything you do, you give people a reason to care. You are able to inspire passion. And that’s how you create loyal followers and students.

Still not sure if you need a mission? Here are three reasons why you need a mission for your business:

#1 Your mission provides direction

If one day you target yoga beginners and the next day you offer advanced hand-stand workshops, you’re missing direction. Your mission will serve as a “north star” that will keep you clear on the direction of your business. As leadership coach Andy Stanley says, “It’s your direction, not your intention, that determines your destination.”

#2 Your mission will help you focus on the future of your business

Where will your business be in 1 year? 3 years? Your mission will help you stay focused on your vision. What you’re doing today will then get you where you want to go in the future.

#3 Your mission will help you make decisions on a daily basis

Your mission can act as a framework for every decision you make in your business. For example, if you plan an upcoming event you can check if it aligns with your mission. Now you’re not just promoting your services and offers, you are promoting your mission. You’re giving people a reason to care. And this will help you create deeper relationships with your students and followers.

So how do you find out your mission?

It’s actually not that complicated.

In fact, your mission is usually something totally head-smackingly obvious. It doesn’t have to be some huge, Oprah-would-love-to-hear-about-it movement.

Don’t put pressure on you that is has to be big, and lofty and beautiful.

It does not need to be. It just needs to mean something to you.

You can start by answering the following questions:

Why did I start this business?

What is my purpose?

Why is this important to me?

Why is doing what I’m doing important to others?

What annoys the heck out of me?

Who are my heroes?

What makes me happy?

This is the time to just pour your heart out. Don’t worry about perfection in this exercise. Just answer the questions in total honesty, don’t worry about what other people want or expect, and don’t edit yourself in the process.

Next you bring everything together and word your mission statement.

Here are a few fill-in phrases to work with:

My mission is:

Creating more _______ in the world

Inspiring people to _______, even when _______

Giving people the tools to _______, in a _______ world

Remember, your mission doesn’t have to be crazy original or innovative. You also don’t have to share it with anyone (though you can if you want). This is just for you.