Embarking on the journey of self-discovery, you might have come across the question, "What's your why?" This powerful exercise, often used in personal development and business strategy, helps you understand your purpose, passions, and values. It's not just about answering a question; it's about finding your true north, your motivation, and your unique value proposition. So, let's dive in and explore what's your why activity, its benefits, and how to do it.
The "What's your Why" activity is centered around Simon Sinek's concept of the Golden Circle. Sinek argues that most companies communicate from the outside in, starting with what they do and how they do it. However, the most successful and inspiring companies communicate from the inside out, starting with why they do what they do. This activity helps individuals and organizations to communicate and operate in this inspiring way.
Understanding Your Personal Why
Before we dive into the activity, let's clear up a common misconception. Your why isn't about what you do or what you aspire to. It's the purpose, cause, or belief that inspires and drives you. It's the reason you get out of bed every morning, and it's what you stand for. In short, your why is the essence of who you are.
To find your personal why, you'll need to go deeper than just thinking about what you do. You'll need to explore your passions, values, and the impact you want to make on the world. Let's look at two approaches to help you find your personal why.
Reflecting on Your Past
One way to find your why is by reflecting on your past. Think about the times when you've felt most fulfilled and alive. What were you doing? Who were you with? What made these moments so special? Your why is likely connected to these experiences and the feelings they evoke.
Another way to reflect on your past is to consider the times you've felt most frustrated or unfulfilled. What was lacking? What were you trying to achieve? Your why can also be discovered by identifying the opposite of what makes you feel this way. For example, if you feel frustrated with a lack of creativity at work, your why might be tied to expressing yourself and creating something new.
Looking Ahead to Your Future
Another approach to finding your why is to envision your future. Imagine you're 80 years old and looking back on your life. What impact do you want to have made? What do you want people to say about you at your funeral? Your why should align with this vision of your future self.
You can also imagine what you'll regret not doing. Your why might be connected to overcoming these fears or barriers. For example, if you fear not having explored the world, your why might be tied to learning, growth, and adventure.
Applying Your Why in Your Life and Work
Now that you've found your why, it's time to apply it to your life and work. Your why should guide your decisions, actions, and communication. Here's how you can put it into practice.
Setting Goals and Making Decisions
Your why should inform your goals and the decisions you make. When you have a clear why, you can make decisions that align with your purpose. For example, if your why is to inspire creativity in others, you might set a goal to start an art club or take on a new role that allows you to mentor others.
Similarly, your why can help you evaluate opportunities. If a job offer or project doesn't align with your why, you'll know it's not the right fit, even if it seems appealing on the surface.
Communicating Your Why
Effective communication starts with understanding your audience and what they care about. When you communicate your why, you're speaking to their values and aspirations. You're not just telling them what you do; you're telling them why you do it.
To communicate your why, start with the feeling or cause behind what you do. For example, instead of saying, "I sell shoes," you might say, "I help people feel great about the way they look." Be genuine and specific. Your why should be authentically you, and it should be something your audience can connect with.
Living Your Why Every Day
Finding your why is just the first step. The real challenge is living it every day. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of our purpose. To stay connected to your why, make it a habit to reflect on it regularly.
You can also find opportunities to express your why in small moments throughout your day. Maybe it's helping a colleague with a task, creating a piece of art, or mentoring a young person. Every time you live your why, you reinforce it, and it becomes more a part of who you are.
Remember, finding your why is a journey, not a destination. Like any journey, it's filled with challenges and setbacks. But if you stay true to yourself and keep moving forward, you'll find the fulfillment that comes from living a life aligned with your purpose.
So, what's your why? It's a question worth asking, and once you've found your answer, it's a journey worth living. Take the time to reflect on your past, look ahead to your future, and communicate your why to the world. The world needs more people who know why they do what they do. And as Simon Sinek says, "People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it." So, go out there and inspire others with your why!