Is Your 'Why' The Real One ?
Before we get started with 'Is your why the real one ?' I thought it best to mention that this will be two posts all mish-moshed together. In truth, I couldn't make up my mind which title to go with.
The other title is 'If In Doubt Just write' So in true 'live' fashion, that's exactly how I'm going to approach this post.
If I had used the second one first and then tried to incorporate the first one, the second title really wouldn't have given you a clear indication of what I was intending to write about. Make sense ?
The whole 'One thought equals one post' has gone right out of the window, at least for today. You see, every time I thought about the 'Why' I kept tying myself up in knots, too many tangents, even for me.
So, I thought I would just start writing and see where we go. Nothing like living on the edge, now is there.
One of the most common questions that we face when embarking on this or any new venture is 'Why are you doing this ?' The answers are varied and can be different for most of us, though there do seem to be plenty based around some firm favourites.
- I need more money
- I hate my job
- I want to be my own boss
- I secretly yearn to have my own dance studio
There are many others but two tend to be the main ones, or derivatives of them, variations on a theme, if you like.
The 'why' is important for many reasons but again, one seems to be ahead of all others.
You need to know your 'why' so that when things get a bit sticky, you remember the reason you started doing whatever it is and that then helps you through.
It did occur to me, that sometimes it's not enough. The 'why' isn't strong enough to pick you up, when you're on your knees, head on the floor, fists pounding the carpet.
I wonder then if we need to really take a good look at our 'why's' and see if they are actually true. I mean, I know they're true, in the sense that you're not making them up. It's more to do with whether they are just the tip of your 'why' iceberg.
Stay with me, I know what I mean, maybe if I explain where I'm going with this, it will become clearer. Is your 'why' divisible or is it a prime number (Yes, I know that a prime number is divisible by one and itself, how could I forget that). That's better, we're getting closer to it.
The easiest way to find out would be to ask yourself the question. Why ? Pretend to be a four year old all over again.
You want more money ? Why ? Because you're fed up with not being able to have some of the nicer things in life, you've always had to 'make do'. You want to be able to give your children the things they would like and not have to keep saying 'We can't afford it'. When that happens it makes you feel sad and inadequate, like you're not quite good enough.
Bit strong ? It was merely to make the point that we need to have more that just a 'want'. We need our 'why' to be strong enough to leverage ourselves when we are on the brink of throwing in the towel.
We need to be able to draw strength from our why. We need to be able to say 'I am going to do this because I no longer want to feel embarrassed or ashamed' 'I am going to do this because I no longer want to see that look in their eyes.' (insert your own particular loved one or ones)
'I am going to do this so that I can live life on my terms and no longer be at the beck and call of someone I have no respect for'
It kind of touches on the 'Primary question' arena but that's a conversation for another day and with someone far more qualified than me.
There are going to be times when you're up against it. You're tired and yet you still have so much left to do. It could be that you've published a dozen or more articles and your traffic is still in single figures.
There will be something that will take you to the edge and you'll ask yourself
'Why am I doing this ?'
Is your answer going to be strong enough to pull you back ? Maybe now is a good time to have another look and see if your 'why' has got what it takes.
On that note, I need to go, I have videos to watch and notes to take. Also remember, if in doubt write.
Hope you're having a terrific Tuesday and managing to stay safe, healthy and happy.
Twack Romero.
Recent Comments
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When I was a boy I asked my dad "why are we here on this planet?" My dad had the -where is this coming from, look but could never answer some of these questions. We were poor and my family lived on a day to day basis. I slowly beat myself into not needing money that I outgrew it. As a young person, I outgrew needing money, able to live barely. this became a problem for my dad. Since I did not know why I was on this planet and I had no need for money I lost all motivation to study. My dad saved every penny he had and wanted me to go on to be a doctor but I was lost in this space floating as I did not know why and what was my purpose in life and why I am here. He tried hard to push his aspirations on me and send me for higher learning but I just flunked out until he gave up.
I noticed one thing - when somebody encouraged me or when something I did make somebody happy or helped, I was motivated to pursue and do it...it is possible this is my why
Cutting the long story short...our whys are all different but we need to uncover them. It will help propel us..fuel us..motivate us
Why IS an important question for homo sapiens..but answering it can be a formidable task.
Reading through your reply Bosco, I would imagine you have done quite a lot of 'self discovery'. So much of who we are stems from our early years.
Unravelling that tangled mess is key to finding our place in this world. I agree, it can be a very formidable task.
I agree Twack, the why is very important. It's not the first answer that is trotted out automatically. Probably not the second either.
I kept asking myself the question.
I came out with: more money.
for the family,
and then: for the challenge
and finally: For Me!! Because I love the adventure of learning something new and this was all mine. No one else is interested, not that I have ever said much about it. Because, it's mine.
It can be a very simple and yet very enlightening process. If we keep digging down, the answers aren't always what we are expecting.
Sorry Twack have to disagree. The ‘why’ has little to do with you in business. The ‘why’ is all about your potential prospect or client.
Why would they want to know you?
Why would they want to read anything you write?
Why would they not read contact someone else?
Why would they give you any credibility?
Why would buy from you?
I could go on and on and you you/we don’t answer these and many more ‘why’ them maybe it’s time to pack up and go home.
Kind Regards and Every Success to You
Trevor
Thank you Trevor, those are all very important questions and when answered they are actually about ourselves, if I'm reading them right. Interesting.
Love it. You are spot on again.
You've got to have a Super Strong WHY.
Wishy Washy Won't Work!---There's another title thrown in, LOL, I digress.
Yeah, to pull you back up you need something strong.
You actually mentioned 2 of my WHYs:
(1) I do this because I want to live my best life yet which means taking complete control and not be at someone else's beck and call.
And of course, no.2 I secretly yearn to have my own dance studio. (I was brainwashed by Saturday Night Fever, Fame and Flashdance growing-up). What can I say? 😉Don't judge me.
Terrific Tuesday back at ya and to all, Louise
Thank you so very much Louise. Darn good title it is, you could even add the 'why'. 'Wishy Washy Why's Won't Work' or maybe another 'why' with 'Why Wishy Washy Why's Won't Work'. Alliteration at its best.
No judging here, while you were getting your groove on with Saturday Night Fever, I was in a galaxy far far away trying to do impressions of Darth Vader.
He he he he, great, what a title and a half that is!
Darth Vader. Oh no, just got a flashback. Christmas Day, late 70s. I'm super upset, both my brothers got lightsabers but I didn't! Boooo, just 'cos I'm a girl. 😔
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In the Corporate world I had two CEO mentors very clever, very astute in the business world known as cute!! ha ha
They always said there was not a problem that could not be solved if one asked Why, When, Where, How, Whom...
One from 5 in your context is Awesome!! ;
Trust you are all well!!
Have a good day!!
R.
All good here, likewise for you and yours.
CEO's have a way of being wise (Not all I'm sure but for the most part)
I've seen that maxim somewhere before, this time I might try and remember it.
Thank you!
Yes This is the second time I;ve mentioned it once was in a blog which you also noted....ha ha !!
R.
Best I keep hold of it this time, into the folder it goes.
Ha ha ha!! ;
R.