How to Find Your Why

The Importance of Finding Your "Why"

We've all felt it—the excitement of a new project or the thrill of a challenging goal. But excitement fades, and willpower can only take you so far. When we are focused on only how to achieve more, what to own, how to look—a fundamental question is often neglected: "Why?" Why do we do what we do? Why do we aspire for more? Why does any of it matter?

Understanding your "Why" ground us in our purpose. It not only helps with determining our path forward, but also helps us measure success along the way. It goes beyond money and power, and helps you navigate the complexities of life with a goal of more - more love, more connection, more purpose.

"Why" Does it Matter?

By truly understanding the power and implications of your "Why," you're not just setting up a framework for decision-making, you're also building a resilient mindset and fostering an environment—whether personal or organizational—that thrives on meaning, not just success. Our goal in building our Worksoul is focused on becoming the best we can be, and achieving success while uncovering meaning, happiness, and fulfillment along the way. Clearly knowing our why is a critical piece on this journey for us to know that if we accomplish all of our goals, was there a reason for it?

Beyond that, however, a clear and concise why can also be a motivator, decision-making framework, and can increase our chances of achieving those goals in the first place.

Your "Why" can be more than a guiding principle; it’s also psychological safety net. In moments of failure or setbacks, when the "What" and the "How" don’t seem to pan out, your "Why" can provide you with the resilience needed to carry on. The emotional weight of setbacks lighten when viewed through the lens of purpose. This concept isn't just a motivational theory—it's supported by psychological research indicating that a strong sense of purpose can act as a buffer against stress, burnout, and even depression.

For organizations to be successful, we often talk about a clearly defined Mission Statement. For organizations to attract and retain the best talent and connect to their customers, a well-defined "Why" goes beyond personal benefits and extends its positive impacts to team dynamics and business outcomes. Teams whose members understand and share a common "Why" are more cohesive, more resilient in the face of challenges, and more innovative in finding solutions. Moreover, a collective "Why" can be a compelling brand story that resonates with customers and stakeholders, setting your organization apart in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

When you can clearly articulate your why, you bring outcomes to the forefront of what you do, instead of just focusing on the output that you want to deliver.

The 5 Traits of a Good "Why" Statement

Specificity

A good "Why" statement is specific enough to guide your actions and decisions. While general statements like "to be happy" or "to be successful" may feel universal, they lack the precision needed to steer your life in a meaningful direction.

Example: Instead of saying, "I want to help people," a more specific "Why" could be, "I want to empower disadvantaged youth through education."

Alignment with Values

Your "Why" should be in sync with your core values. Values act as a compass that directs how you navigate life's challenges and opportunities. When your "Why" aligns with these values, it provides a stronger, more sustainable source of motivation.

Example: If one of your core values is "integrity," your "Why" could be, "To achieve success by showcasing the power of doing the right thing even when it's not easy."

Actionable

A powerful "Why" is one that you can act on daily. It's not just a lofty ideal but a call to action that can translate into tangible behaviors and decisions.

Example: Instead of a vague "Why" like "To make the world a better place," an actionable alternative could be, "To improve my community through sustainable practices."

Resonant with Emotional Needs

Your "Why" should resonate on an emotional level. It should be something that excites, moves, or even unsettles you enough to inspire change or action.

Example: "To build a business that is successful while valuing people over profit."

Adaptability

While your core "Why" may remain consistent, the way it manifests can adapt over time and across different life circumstances. A good "Why" statement leaves room for growth and evolution.

Example: "To achieve success in my career while building a life that brings me joy and new experiences each day" can adapt to various roles, industries, or life stages.

How to Discover Your "Why"

Knowing the importance is one thing; the real challenge is discovering your own "Why."

Whether you are trying to determine your "Why" or the "Why" of your business, the key is to incorporate healthy reflection and introspection, input from others, analysis of patterns, and iteration and refinement in your discovery process. To start working through this process, grab a worksheet and go through this guide:

Step 1: Self-Reflection

Set the Stage: Find a quiet space where you can think without interruptions. Bring a worksheet to jot down your thoughts.

Ask Yourself:

• What activities make me lose track of time?
• When do I feel most alive and connected?
• What impact do I want to make on my community or the world?
• What do I think I am good at providing to others?
• What values are non-negotiable for me?

Step 2: Analyze Your Life's Highs and Lows

Identify Peak Moments: Think back to times when you felt most proud, engaged, or fulfilled. What were you doing? Who were you with?

Recognize the Valleys: On the flip side, consider the times you felt disengaged or unfulfilled. What was missing during these times?

Step 3: What Do Other's Think I Am Good At?

Consult Your Network: Approach friends, family, or colleagues who know you well. Ask them what they think are your strengths, passions, and values.

Professional Assessment: Tools like StrengthsFinder or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can offer additional insights.

Jot down the key themes and skills that you uniquely bring to the table and that others value in you. This can be a hard task, but knowing your unique value proposition can go a long way toward aligning your purpose and your goals.

Step 4: Synthesize and Look for Patterns

Review Your Findings: Take a good look at the data you've gathered from Steps 1-3. Are there recurring themes or consistent points?

Draft Your Preliminary "Why" Statement: It doesn't have to be perfect; the idea is to start with a draft and refine it over time.

Step 5: Test Your "Why"

1. Apply It to Daily Decisions: Use your "Why" as a guidepost for small and big decisions—ranging from how you approach tasks at work to making life-changing choices.
2. Iterate: Your "Why" is not static. Revisit it periodically and adjust as you gather more insights about yourself and your evolving aspirations.

Step 6: Live Your "Why"

1. Infuse Your "Why" Into Actions: Make it a point to align your daily tasks, projects, and even career choices with your "Why."
2. Be Authentic: Don't just make your "Why" an internal slogan. Live it, share it, and inspire others with it.

Integrating Your "Why" Into Your Life

Once discovered, your "Why" becomes the compass for your actions. Continuously reflecting on if your actions are in line with your "Why" and if you are still living your purpose will be critical for living a life that gets you closer to finding and aligning your values and purpose with what you want to accomplish and achieve.

At the end of the day, it is important that you live your "Why" authentically, and make sure that you are assessing whether your actions are truly in pursuit of that greater goal, or if your actions are misaligned with who you want to be as you grow and change.

Insights and Books to Help You Find Your Why

1. "Drive" by Daniel Pink: A deep dive into what motivates us.
2. "Start With Why" by Simon Sinek: An exploration of how great leaders inspire everyone to take action.
3. "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl: A seminal book on finding purpose through struggle, written by a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist.
4. "The How of Happiness" by Sonja Lyubomirsky: This book touches on the importance of meaning as a path to happiness.

Reflecting on Your Why

1. What are three tasks you do regularly that don't align with your "Why"? How can you tweak them to better serve your purpose?
2. What values are at the core of your "Why"? Are you living them every day?
3. How could understanding your "Why" change the way you approach your work or leadership style?

Finding your "Why" is a lifelong journey, but it's one that adds depth, meaning, and fulfillment to both your professional and personal life. Take the first steps today; your future self will thank you.

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