Start With Your WHY!
“He who has a why can endure any how” German philosopher Frederick Nietzsche
DO YOU KNOW YOUR WHY?
Have you ever had to make a decision for your team at work and they were upset with it or confused by it? Did you share the WHY behind your decision?
Has your company made a financial decision that impacted you … and you were upset? Did they share the WHY behind their decision?
Perhaps you had to make a decision for your family and the children were confused. Did you explain the WHY behind the decision? Knowing the why, as much as you can share, can provide guidance or understanding in those difficult moments.
But what about YOU? Knowing your purpose or your WHY can keep you from drifting through life while providing value, guidance, and intention.
Your WHY statement may be different in the personal and professional areas of your life, too!
• It is your calling.
• It is your personal conviction.
• It is your mission statement or purpose statement.
• It is a vision of your life and work.
Your “Why” is a purpose statement describing why you do the work you do, the choices you make, and live the lifestyle you do. Just start with WHY!
Knowing your WHY can be “step one” in helping you figure out your HOW as you move in the direction of achieving your purpose AND it will generate the fuel you need to keep you moving forward. Have you defined your WHY? Your WHY is designed by YOU!
Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."—Warren Buffett
CREATING YOUR “WHY”
What makes you come alive? The word inspire comes from the Latin, meaning “to breathe life into.” When you are wholeheartedly working towards those things that inspire you, it will “breathe life” into your projects, your goals, your purpose, and YOU. What ignites you?
List your innate strengths. Are you naturally gifted as a communicator, tech-savvy, know how to lead, problem solver, or architect for change? Start here!
How will you measure your life and the impact you made? If you are stuck, start with the end in mind for your life and work backward to today. Getting a vision of how you want the end to look by the impact you will make will stir up the motivation you need to create your WHY.
DISCOVERING YOUR WHY
So, I have been sharing with you about developing your WHY, but you may be asking HOW do I find it? There are many creative ways. You may discover it now or it may take time, so give yourself grace. I believe your WHY can evolve over time as you mature and learn more about yourself. Think of it as a process. Discovering or creating your WHY is becoming self-aware. To do this, it is important to find time to sit and interview YOURSELF.
1. Write down your core values. Personal core values are another form of a personal compass.
2. What drives you? Are there certain motivations or actions that continually move you forward?
3. Do you have interests that inspire you to want or do more?
4. Ask simple questions like: Why do I like helping others? Why do I want to help others? Why do I want a particular career? Why am I drawn to this college degree?
5. Is a theme developing in your life? I have a background in Human Resources, Talent Development and I am a certified life coach…my theme…I like to help people become the best version of themselves.
6. Map out your why statement. For example, my WHY statement is: I empower people to maximize their gifts and talents to go further and farther in their life than they ever thought possible thru life coaching!
I BELIEVE …
We all have to start somewhere. Don’t drift through life or live it by accident. If you think you have been doing that, then today decide to live with a purpose, passion, and a strong WHY.
Learn to live your life with purpose, on purpose, and use your WHY as your compass. All things are possible my friend.