[Y] – Find Your Reason Why
Have you ever felt like you’re just going through the motions, unsure of what you’re chasing in life? That’s where the concept of finding your reason why comes into play. It’s about uncovering the driving force behind your actions, the purpose that gives meaning to your daily grind.
Psychologists have long emphasized the importance of a purpose, noting that it goes beyond goal-setting. It’s about the bigger picture, the compelling force that keeps you going even when it gets tricky. Your ‘why’ is not just a motivator; it’s the anchor that holds you steadfast in life’s tumultuous seas.
When you understand your why, you tap into a source of energy and determination virtually unfazed by setbacks. This resilience separates those who survive from those who thrive, even in the most challenging circumstances. It’s as though knowing your ‘why’ equips you with an inner compass, guiding you towards decisions that resonate with your core values.
Consider the stories of individuals who have achieved extraordinary things. Often, their success is rooted in a powerful ‘why’ that is personal and deeply meaningful. Whether an athlete pushing for Olympic gold or an entrepreneur building a business from the ground up, their ‘why’ propels them forward.
So, how do you go about discovering your own ‘why’?
It starts with self-reflection. Carve out some quiet time to ponder your passions, your happiest moments, and the times you’ve felt most fulfilled. These reflections can be like breadcrumbs leading you to your ultimate ‘why.’ It might not reveal itself overnight, but with consistent introspection, your reason why will emerge, and when it does, it’ll be a revelation that fuels not just what you do but how you choose to live your entire life.
Transforming Insight into Action: Practical Steps to Live Your ‘Why’
Understanding your ‘why’ is just the starting block of the race. What’s crucial is turning that insight into tangible actions. You see, realizing your purpose is one thing, but it’s an entirely new game to live by.
First up, you’re going to want to set goals that are in line with your core motivations. These aren’t just goals but are directly connected to your ‘why.’ Choose goals that resonate with you and excite you to jump out of bed in the morning.
Next, developing habits that support your purpose is critical. This includes choosing daily actions that contribute to your larger mission, whether dedicating time to a passion project, enhancing your health, or investing in relationships that build you up.
Of course, there will be obstacles. Don’t worry too much about them. When you focus on your ‘why’ clearly, these hurdles become less daunting. Remember why you started when things get tough; use that as fuel to keep pushing forward.
I cannot stress enough how important your community and relationships are in this process. Surround yourself with people who get it, who understand you’re ‘why,’ and who support you. Their encouragement can make all the difference, especially when self-doubt creeps in.
Lastly, you’ve got to keep track of your progress. Celebrate the small wins and adjust your approach when necessary. Your first attempt doesn’t need to be your last; adaptation is part of the journey.
SO WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
I hope you feel inspired to make your ‘why’ your compass and take proactive steps to embed it into your everyday life. When you live aligned with your purpose, you radiate a kind of authenticity and energy that’s both fulfilling and contagious. Let’s get out there and make it happen!
I have had the pleasure of reading your post on ‘Finding Your Why’. I agree that this goes well beyond mere goal setting and I am reminded of the book by the late, great Dr. Wayne Dyer “Inspiration” where he talked about just that, your ‘why’ being a driving force, the inspiration that is dominated by your true calling in life. He made the same point, that you tap into a source of energy and determination that setbacks cannot overcome. I thought your section on transforming your insight into action was particularly helpful and I believe that people who have not, as yet, discovered their true ‘why’ are going to get a lot of value from your content. Thank you for sharing! Well done!
Grant R
Hi JCG, your article touches something deep within many of us, including me. Way too many people are simply “going through the motions” in life, unsure of who or what they really are and not knowing their “why”. It took me well into my 50s to figure out much of it for myself. Furthermore, it took me well into my 60s to finally find the personal and professional settings that match and define my why. Better late than never for me. Some never get it. I feel fortunate.
Bob
Hi, very good point here which is to find your why. The why is the reason we do anything in life. Also like you said you have to surround yourself with the right people. Like the saying goes “show me your friends and I will show you your future. ” A good way to get around great people is toastmasters.
This is a very true article, and there is a big difference between knowing what you want and why you want it. When I discovered this it changed my mentality and thinking, I just had to find the how then, which I’m pleased to say I have.
My reason for my why was family, before realizing that I knew I wanted what I wanted but it never really came to be. What was your why if you don’t mind me asking? And was there a moment when you just realized it or was it a longer process?
Hi Ryan,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my posts and for connecting with my message. I am happy to know that my words resonated with you. Writing these posts is like having a conversation. I enjoy learning from and about the people who provide feedback. It’s a give-and-take experience that continues to evolve.
My “why” is what motivates me to keep pushing forward. If my purpose stays the same without evolving, I am not growing. I want my “why” to change over time because it signifies that I am constantly learning and improving.
Ultimately, my desire to be a helpful resource to as many people as possible is my driving force. Good people should do well. When good people thrive and do well, then more people make a positive impact on the world. I arrived at this conclusion by setting daily intentions to leave everything I encountered a little better than how I found it. I quickly realized that helping others was contagious, resulting in a feeling of fulfillment.
In short, my “why” is simple yet effective. It keeps me on my toes and inspires me to continue positively impacting the world.
Best Regards,
-jcg
Great article! It really delves deep into the importance of understanding one’s ‘why’ in life. This concept is essential in staying motivated and focused on our goals. However, I’m curious about how one can distinguish between a true, deep-seated ‘reason why’ and a fleeting passion or interest. Also, could you elaborate on how to stay connected to this ‘why’ during challenging times when motivation wanes? It would be helpful to understand how to maintain that connection and drive, especially when faced with obstacles or setbacks. Thanks for sharing these insightful thoughts!
Hello
I really enjoyed this post about finding our ‘why’. It is something I have been looking into myself lately. Realizing that our deepest motivations drive our happiest and most rewarding moments was really interesting for me.
I started keeping a diary sometime back to understand my passions and values better, and it is incredible how much clarity it brought to my life choices as i moved forward.
Have you found that certain activities or practices help in discovering one’s ‘why’ more effectively?
Really interesting post, thank you. I enjoyed reading.
Your article on finding one’s ‘why’ resonated deeply with me, and I want to express my gratitude for shedding light on such a transformative concept. The emphasis on uncovering the driving force behind our actions, the purpose that gives meaning to our daily grind, struck a chord.
The idea that our ‘why’ is not merely a motivator but an anchor that holds us steadfast in life’s tumultuous seas is powerful. Your insights into the stories of individuals achieving extraordinary things through a powerful ‘why’ were inspiring and thought-provoking.
The practical steps you provided for transforming insight into action were invaluable. Setting goals aligned with our core motivations, developing habits that support our purpose, and navigating obstacles with the clarity of our ‘why’ are actionable strategies that I’m eager to implement in my life.
As I embark on this journey of self-discovery and purpose, I wonder if you have any additional tips or personal experiences to share. Have you encountered specific challenges in discovering or living by your ‘why,’ and how did you overcome them? I would love to hear more about your insights on this transformative process.
Thank you once again for your enlightening article, and I look forward to incorporating these principles into my life.
Hi,
I have tried self-reflection in the past but have often found I am constantly judging myself with self-recriminating thoughts. I wonder if that is a common occurrence? What advice would you give to someone who like me? It’s a sticking point for me.
thanks
Bernard
Hi Bernard,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I completely understand how it can be difficult when negative thoughts arise, and the space they can occupy. Recognizing the triggers or reasons behind these thoughts can be challenging without adequately understanding the internal and external factors involved. I always encourage anyone to seek professional help, so give that some thought.
Instead of providing advice, I suggest exploring helpful tools and ideas that can help lessen or eliminate those “sabotaging” thoughts when they appear. I intentionally avoided using “self-incriminating” until now because I felt the word(s) carried a heavy weight, almost like a sense of self-betrayal. Negative thoughts or sabotaging thoughts seem more manageable and workable.
Understanding how we frame life’s events is crucial to reducing the weight of these thoughts and easing the burden. Play with using other words that are similar but less heavy. Reframing these thoughts may lessen the weight that those words carry.
I find that an excellent way to break any cycle is with what I like to call “Giving Myself Some Grace.” Try giving yourself some grace when those thoughts are around, and intentionally stop the frame of thinking for 10-15 seconds. Focus on your breath going in and out, and imagine how you would express care and support for someone you love or a child. That same vulnerability is what you want to tap into. Be gentle and kind to yourself, especially when you are not feeling your best, not in a coddling way but in a supportive way to build a stronger you.
Best regards.
-jcg
Hi,
I have tried self-reflection in the past but have often found I am constantly judging myself with self-recriminating thoughts. I wonder if that is a common occurrence? What advice would you give to someone who like me? It’s a sticking point for me.
How do you reconcile faith (religion) when practicing these techniques?
thanks
Bernard
Your post on finding your “reason why” is truly inspiring. It’s so important to have a strong motivation behind our actions, especially when pursuing our goals. Have you found that discovering your “reason why” has significantly impacted your own journey? I’ve experienced firsthand how having a clear purpose can fuel determination and resilience during challenging times.
Your emphasis on aligning our actions with our values resonates deeply with me. It’s about more than just setting goals; it’s about living in alignment with what truly matters to us. How do you suggest someone identifies their core values if they’re unsure where to start? I believe this introspective process can be transformative. Thank you for sharing your insights and encouraging us to delve deeper into our motivations!
This text resonates deeply with me as it beautifully articulates the significance of discovering one’s “reason why” and living in alignment with it. The emphasis on self-reflection, goal setting, and the importance of supportive relationships is truly inspiring. It’s a powerful reminder to embrace authenticity and purpose in every aspect of life. In your journey to discover your “reason why,” have you found any specific self-reflection practices or goal-setting techniques particularly helpful? I’d love to hear about your experiences and insights on this transformative process.
I think most of us on Earth never really find our why. Or sometimes we have lots of whys and we think we are solving them as we go along, only to discover there are more whys.
Taking time to reflect is a great way to slow down, live in the moment and rediscover yourself, as you have pointed out. Would you say you have found your ultimate why and if so what makes you think that you have?
I understand your point of view, and your article has deeply resonated with me. I have often contemplated how to discover my life’s purpose and the meaning of life.
The idea of “finding your why?” seems to be a logical approach. However, I am curious about how and where I can meet people who share the same mindset as me in real life. Could you please share your thoughts on how I can find such people?
I often feel that my daily life is just going through the motions to survive. So I found this post on finding your why, very helpful. You mention that to find your reason why, one must reflect on the happiest times and your passions, to help you find your why.
Would you then suggest that one writes them down? You say that one must surround yourself with those that understand your why. So could it be helpful to do brainstorming with someone that knows you very well? Or is it best to do it completely on your own? Thank you or sharing your insight.
Hi LineCowley,
Trusting your instincts is the key to success in this exercise. Reflecting on past events is simply a way to recall how you felt in that moment, allowing you to recreate that feeling, rather than the event itself. Try to keep it simply and consistent..
When writing for personal reasons, I find myself taking one of two approaches. If I’m looking to achieve a goal or reaffirm positive thoughts, such as affirmations, I prefer to write them down. I would feel comfortable with or without the company of others.
The other type of writing I do is what I refer to as “morning pages” or “brain-drain.” Every morning, I jot down three pages of whatever thoughts come into my head. For this exercise, I make a commitment to write, write, and write some more. It doesn’t have to be coherent, just a way to declutter my mind. Finally, I don’t read what I’ve written, I simply jot it down and let it go. This exercise is private, and I find it to be incredibly helpful for clearing my mind and starting the day with a fresh perspective.
To the extent of doing any sort of writing for myself I will typically do one of two things. If it is something that I want to achieve or to remind myself of something positive [like affirmations] I will definitely with or without having people around. The other type of writing I do are what I call “morning pages” or “brain-drain.” I write down three pages of whatever comes into my mind first thing in the morning, every morning. The agreement I make with myself for this exercise is that I simply write, write and write. It does not have to make any sense, just get it out. It is a way to declutter your mind. Lastly, I do not read it, i write it out and let it go. This exercise I do privately.
Thank you for the feedback.
-jcg
This is al great and I need to find a purpose in life for sure, but how can you find out where your passion is? It is a bit hard for me at the moment while in a light depression, with no interest in a hobby, passion or even a healthy and fit body, and it shows as I eat the wrong things and have no energy. Do you have any tips for me please? thanks!
Nice article.
I’ve been determined to live my purpose my whole life long. But my purpose is decidedly not something that fits neatly into the current status quo. Any advice on how to live one’s purpose when it goes against the establishment? When one’s purpose is to point out what’s wrong with the establishment? This is venturing into the realm of activism. But how does a person LIVE that and…make a living from it?
Thanks in advance,
Anna