Kids have had it right all along. They instinctively know that the most important question we can ask is “Why”.
Here’s ‘why’ :
1. Why keeps you in the game.
What could so motivate you that you won’t let anyone or anything prevent you from achieving it? You only find out by asking yourself ‘Why?’
Without exploring this critical question for yourself, it’s easy to get caught up in someone else’s dreams and agenda. It’s vital to your success to be clear on the why behind your goals. And when you start asking yourself ‘why’, don’t settle for the first answer.
For instance, if you told me you wanted a six figure income I’d ask you,”Why?”
“Well, to have more time freedom.”
“Why?”
And so on. Until we reached an answer that drew an emotional response.
Now you’ve found your Big Why. It’s your non-negotiable, bottom line. And it’s yours alone.
Never let someone else tell you why you should be doing something. Find it for yourself.
2. ‘Why’ focuses your attention on the essentials
Notice I didn’t say “important”. There are lots of important things we do in our lives but the essential things may not seem all that important until we partner them with our Big Why.
A good example of that is someone who dreams of being an artist. The time spent practicing their skills is often labelled as frivolous and unimportant by those around them. Only the dreamer knows how essential that time really is.
As you plan your day, week and month ask yourself ‘Why am I doing this? Is it taking me closer to what I truly want?’
You’ll quickly learn what’s important to you and what to let go of. Without a solid reason for our activities we can fill up our calendars with busyness and yet, at the end of the day, wonder what we accomplished.
To truly live the life you were meant to be living, maybe it’s time to think like a kid again and ask “Why?”
Over and over.
