Find Your Why

One of the most widely known slogans in the world is the Nike slogan “Just Do It.” No more excuses, no more talk, no more planning, no more second guessing… “Just Do It.” Maybe that’s just what you needed to hear. Maybe it can give you that push, that nudge you need to accomplish your goals.

But there is something that this slogan does not fully capture: What about the why?

Why should I “Just Do It”? What’s the reason for doing it? Do I even want to do it?

In life, you can “Just Do It” day-in-and-day-out and not enjoy a single movement of your life -- possibly never engaging in a single moment of passionate, fulfilling work.

So, before you go and “Just Do It,” identify your why. This will help you make real changes in your life.

What Do You Love?

The whys in your life are directly tied to what it is you love. What you love incorporates other things like what you are passionate about; what you think is important; what you ultimately care about; and, what you really enjoy doing.

Your whys, or what you love, point to your motivators. Your whys take routine or mundane actions and infuse them with passion and desire. They take the things you do and put life into them.

To identify your whys, ask yourself: What is it that I love?

How Do You Recharge?

The whys in your life are directly related to the things that energize you. Passion is fuel for action. Without it, you quickly burn out.

So, what gives you energy? What are the ways you recharge your completely drained batteries? Knowing this helps you know what your energy gainers are. What areas of life which seem effortless for you? What can you engage in for endless periods of time without much output of energy? Both of these strategies can help you identify your whys.

To identify your why, ask yourself: What gives me energy, which I enjoy expending?

Replay your Highlight Reel.

The whys in your life are directly related with accomplishments. Previously successful projects can help you start at the end and work your way back. This approach can help identify your life’s whys.

Imagine you sitting on a porch and staring out onto the beautiful countryside before dusk. As you observe the landscape, your mind drifts back over the highlight reel of your life. What are the major scenes you want to see played back to you?

Do you imagine a few career highlights, family memories, personal relationships, charity involvement, or other activities? What do you want to be able to reflect on when your life is near its end? Your answer to these questions will reveal what you think is important to do it over and over.

Your Personal Mission Statement.

Okay, you have determined your why as what you love, what gives you energy, and what you want to accomplish. Write these thoughts into your personal functional and usable mission statement.

Your personal mission statement will help guide you during times of decision making. It will remind you of the reason behind your actions. It not only captures your why, but also your what and even your when.

The next time you are in a situation where are you are going to “Just Do It,” you will be able to support that action with the full understanding of your why. Having true passion behind your actions is a formula for pure, lasting, and impactful changes in life. Not just doing something.

Use the 3 below items to help you find your why:

Affirmation and Self-Reflections: I am Finding My Inner Truth

Infographic: The Rules of Self-Understanding

Infographic: 7 Questions to Ask Yourself When Trying to Discover Your True Passion