“Why Do It?”

Nike has just released its latest campaign, “Why Do It?”.

I had to read it twice because Nike is synonymous with “Just Do It.” which was introduced back in 1988 as so much more than a tagline, it was a call to action: ‘a challenge to start, to try, to move forward even when it’s hard’.

Whilst you’re not a global company generating billions in annual revenue, there are SO many lessons we can all learn from this.

You see, “Why Do It?” is a recommitment to Nike’s founding belief: ‘When you show up and try, anything is possible’.

It’s a movement to urge today’s generation to have the courage to ‘show up authentically in every moment’.

They’re connecting and collaborating with new audiences and speaking directly with them to challenge THEM to write the next chapter.

They’re reminding ALL athletes that ‘trying still counts and failing is part of the process’, and that there are always new ways to compete, grow and win. 

They have Spanish tennis champion Alcaraz explaining:

‘Tennis teaches you quickly that you can’t control everything, but you can always choose to fight for that next point...to stay fearless and to believe in yourself no matter the pressure or the moment.’

With your business owner hat on, does this sound familiar?

Running a business is hard; we face challenges every single day.  If it was easy, then everyone would be doing it!

It’s our experience that those business owners who repeat the same year over and over again, don’t take the opportunities that those business who continue to develop and grow do.

Successful businesses know their tribe, they speak directly with them, they inspire them.

Like in life, mistakes happen; but rather than fear them, many of our clients have a culture that celebrates mistakes; it’s the learning that’s the key and can often lead to new things.

One of the most important things business owners need to do, is define their impact. When you’re a force for good, you will move your business model from Push to Pull, enabling you to attract more loyal clients and become a magnet for talent (because let’s face it, getting and keeping good people is HARD!).

Finally, your Mindset is key in all of this. The difference between those business owners who achieve success (whatever that looks like for them), and those that remain stagnant, is that they have a Growth Mindset, not a Fixed Mindset.  Carol Dweck summarises this brilliantly:

Fixed Mindset – you believe that your ability is set in stone and where you are now will likely predict where you are in the future.

Growth Mindset – you believe your ability can change and grow and it would be impossible to predict what you or someone else could achieve.

We are neither one nor the other, instead, we are largely a mixture of the two. Our job is to be aware of our mindset and gravitate towards growth.

This week is a reminder to remember why you do what you do, what impact you’re making (or could be making), and to keep showing up authentically, regardless of what challenges lay in front of you tomorrow, and the day after...and the next...

BW,

Martin

Martin Norbury

Investor | Business Mentor at Advocate | Author of I don’t work Fridays