The Three-Legged Stool: Why Purpose Must Come First

If your job or business disappeared tomorrow, would your sense of purpose disappear with it?

For many of us, work is more than a paycheck. It’s where we spend most of our time, energy, and identity. Whether you’re running the company or leading within it, it’s easy to get so focused on growth and the grind that you lose sight of the bigger question:

What is all this building toward?

That’s where purpose comes in.

Not the kind that ends up on a corporate vision statement, but the real kind—the reason you built your business and the life you want when the business is no longer your whole life.

Defining Personal Purpose

You’ve probably written a business mission statement. But have you ever written one for yourself?

Here’s a simple formula to get started:

“I exist to [what you do / who you help / how you add value] so that [the impact or purpose you want to achieve].”

For example: “I exist to help business owners design intentional lives so that they can create freedom, legacy, and fulfillment.”

If you want to go deeper, Franklin Covey offers a free Personal Mission Statement Builder that can help put words to what drives you.

Why Business and Personal Goals Can’t Be Separated

Business is personal. Trying to draw a clean line between the two is an illusion.

To build a truly successful life and company, your business goals, financial plan, and personal purpose must support each other. But for many owners, the personal clarity piece gets ignored.

We throw everything into the business and tell ourselves we’ll figure out the rest later.

That’s why I often point to the image of a three-legged stool:

• Business Goals – Building a sustainable, transferable enterprise
• Financial Goals – Securing your wealth and future lifestyle
• Personal Goals & Purpose – Defining what matters most beyond the business

When one leg is weak, the stool wobbles. That’s what happens when we scale a company but neglect the “why.”

Purpose isn’t fluff—it’s strategic. It:

• Shapes how you run your business
• Directs your financial goals
• Ensures you’re not just stepping away from something, but stepping into something

Skip this step, and the risk is boredom, identity loss, or regret after an exit. Nail it, and your next chapter can be the best one yet.

How We Help Business Owners

At Van Hulzen Financial Advisors, our focus isn’t just on growing businesses or portfolios—it’s on making sure your work supports what truly matters most.

We partner with owners to design comprehensive plans that connect the dots between business goals, financial freedom, and personal purpose. Together, we clarify what matters most to you, then build strategies that align your wealth, time, and energy around it.

Because the goal isn’t just to exit. It’s to transition into the life you’ve worked so hard to build.

A Lesson from Michael Bloomberg

Michael Bloomberg didn’t just build a global financial data empire—he built it with purpose: to make markets more transparent, informed, and efficient.

That mission powered the rise of Bloomberg LP. But as the company became a self-sufficient enterprise, Bloomberg began planning his next act. His sense of purpose guided him into public service and philanthropy—where his impact has extended into global health, education, and climate change.

Here’s how his three legs aligned:

• Business Leg: Bloomberg LP became a scalable company that could thrive without him.
• Financial Leg: He secured personal wealth that gave him freedom and flexibility
• Personal Leg (The Driver): A civic purpose—focused on improving lives—guided how he used his time, influence, and resources.

The takeaway is simple: when your business, finances, and purpose are aligned, you’re not just building success—you’re building something that lasts.

*The foregoing content reflects the opinions of Van Hulzen Asset Management DBA "Van Hulzen Financial Advisors" and is subject to change at any time without notice. Content provided herein is for informational purposes only and should not be used or construed as investment advice or a recommendation regarding the purchase or sale of any security. There is no guarantee that the statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Indices are not available for direct investment. Any investor who attempts to mimic the performance of an index would incur fees and expenses which would reduce returns. Securities investing involves risk, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no assurance that any investment plan or strategy will be successful. 

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