Firstly, I discovered what the word “why” actually means.
And how beautiful is this – it’s a Latin word meaning “to breathe life into”. Wow! That got my attention right away! German philosopher Frederick Nietzsche once said, ‘He who has a why can endure any how, and he is absolutely spot on. Knowing your why is incredibly important in staying focussed, on track, on purpose, on target and also in staying congruent with who you really are.
The differences of your why and your goals…
Let me be clear here, your why is very different to your goals. Allow me to explain.
Your why is your purpose, your reason for being.
It will wake you up each and every day… inspired to work towards your mission in life and have you in bed every night feeling totally and completely fulfilled. It becomes your driver in life.
On the other hand, your goals are merely a means to an end.
Your why IS the end itself. It’s your legacy, your creation, your everything – your reason for being.
Once you know your why, it becomes very quick and easy to set goals because they are in total alignment.
Goals are typically materialistic such as a new Porsche, mansion on the Gold Coast, kids in private school, annual holidays in Europe. That is NOT your why. Your why is at the very fabric of your existence. It is your body and soul. It is your reason for living… and I certainly don’t exist to buy myself a Porsche – I can assure you of that. But that is certainly a goal of mine no question. My why is all about impact, making a difference, leaving a legacy, transforming lives. It’s big, right?
So how do you uncover your why?
One way is to realize what you would take risks on, what you will discover in times of crisis – rediscovering your reserve of energy, determination, courage, tenacity and it’s really not that difficult to find your life purpose given all of the problems that today’s society presents us all with.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What drives you?
- What gives you the greatest amount of energy to work long hours without reward?
- Are there sacrifices you are willing to make?
- What are the problems you are passionate about solving and what people does that impact?
- Discover how you can solve those problems and really help and support people.
Not having a why will keep us in “Groundhog Day”. Doing the same things over and over and over again. Not having anything to aim for, and not having anything to get excited about. Feeling drained and exhausted. Living life ‘comfortably’ instead of taking risks that will absolutely exhilarate us. Remaining at the effect of life instead of being at cause of how we experience our lives. Which side of the equation do you wish to live life on?
So take the time to sit down and get acquainted with what you love, so you can live a life that you will love and those around you will love to be around you and you will continue to attract people who will love being around you.
The world needs you so go out and make your purpose known. You’ll attract everything you need to get it done. And it will be thrilling. Isn’t that what life is about? Have fun with this. As Esther Hicks said in the movie “The Secret” – “there is nothing that you have to do – only that which you want to do.”