Finding the Why
Too often we look at WHAT and then HOW, and leave the WHY till last. When I talk about this at work, it is about implementing Office 365. Simply, we have the WHAT (the product, systems) , we think we know HOW, (planning the project, processes), but how many companies actually ask WHY? The WHY is the people aspect, and without that, projects fail, systems don’t get adopted, and change wont occur. I have figured out, that is actually what we do best!
Simon Sinek explains this whole concept well.
Take that into our personal lives – without the WHY behind what we are doing; reason, purpose, or meaning, we lack motivation or passion and therefore don’t get the intended results.
The life purpose question is just too hard?
In asking “why?” , it poses one of life’s more daunting , eternal questions “what is my purpose or meaning?”. In most cases answering this question is not only impossible, it is frustrating!
Instead of trying to figure out your “purpose” , it is easier to ask what is important to you?
Amidst the millions of articles, and books of these topics, I really liked this approach and Mark Manson writes about this.
So when people say, “What should I do with my life?” or “What is my life purpose?” what they’re actually asking is: “What can I do with my time that is important?”
Mark Manson
We move towards the things we place the most importance on. So ask yourself how important is this? Or is something else more important? And the thing you place the most importance on, is what will bring results, happiness, meaning and purpose.
How do we define our values?
By identifying what is important to you, this in turn defines what your values are. What would you do and not do, to live up to the things you find important!? What would you sacrifice or do without? For example, lots of people want to own their own business, but few are willing to sacrifice the time it takes, and therefore place MORE importance on their choices to spend time doing other things.
If you want to lose weight, get fit, get healthier, how much importance do you place on that, over NOT doing the things required to get you that result?
Try and distill your points of importance (and values) down to THREE words only, that define what YOUR personal values are, that you can use ongoing.
Tips for Making decisions
Too often, we take jobs, make moves, settle for bad relationships, and follow the wrong paths simply because we don’t question the decisions we make based on our values and what is most important to us.
So when the next BIG offer, cool idea, change for the better, or awesome opportunity presents itself, maybe just ask these questions, before you decide.
- WHY are you doing it? What is the real reason – outcome you want to achieve?
- Does it make you feel the way you want to feel? – For example, will the extra $ bring you joy and contentment, or is the extra hours and time away from loved ones, not worth it?
- Is it a HELL YEAH? – Does it excite you enough to say Hell Yeah, – otherwise is should be a no.
- Does it meet your values you have identified? – can you tick each one off, with confidence, knowing you are not compromising what you have already identified as being CORE to you.
By answering these questions, and building meaning into your decision making and choices, you will drive the results you want to see.
