In his book "8 Ways to Great", peak performance coach Dr. Doug Hirschhorn explains that understanding "why" you want to achieve a particular goal in life is more important than knowing "how" you are going to get there. If your reason "why" is compelling enough to you on a personal level then the "how" becomes almost irrelevant. Having a powerful reason "why" will motivate you to overcome obstacles that keep you from your goal. Even more importantly, a powerful "why" will help you bounce back when you experience a setback.
How Having a Compelling "Why" Works
This was illustrated to me in our town by a remarkable mom who was not happy with the local school system. She felt strongly that not enough attention was being paid to the interests of the children in the district and the changes that needed to be made to correct this. When she realized that the best way to accomplish her goal was to get involved, she decided to join the school board. Now this mom did not know anything about public office, or politics, she dreaded the thought of speaking in public. She had no experience with school administration or education. If you were to meet meet her you would say that she is generally shy and quiet.
None of this stopped her however because she was passionate about why she should run for the school board. She did not know many of the "hows" in this case but she had a strong enough reason "why". She had children in the school system and personally knew many more children also in the system. She wanted to assure that decisions made by the school board always accounted for the best interests of the students (vs. the many special interests that had representation at school board meetings). She worked tirelessly to communicate her message and once elected to the school board, worked relentlessly to assure the board looked out for the best interests of it's students.
How Having a Compelling "Why" Works
This was illustrated to me in our town by a remarkable mom who was not happy with the local school system. She felt strongly that not enough attention was being paid to the interests of the children in the district and the changes that needed to be made to correct this. When she realized that the best way to accomplish her goal was to get involved, she decided to join the school board. Now this mom did not know anything about public office, or politics, she dreaded the thought of speaking in public. She had no experience with school administration or education. If you were to meet meet her you would say that she is generally shy and quiet.
None of this stopped her however because she was passionate about why she should run for the school board. She did not know many of the "hows" in this case but she had a strong enough reason "why". She had children in the school system and personally knew many more children also in the system. She wanted to assure that decisions made by the school board always accounted for the best interests of the students (vs. the many special interests that had representation at school board meetings). She worked tirelessly to communicate her message and once elected to the school board, worked relentlessly to assure the board looked out for the best interests of it's students.
Know Why You're Running Your Business
Running a business can be a chaotic mass of never ending tasks that demand personal attention. The smaller the business the more this is true - as you are most likely doing mostly everything, if not everything, yourself. It's important to take the time to ask yourself why you do what you do. Your reason why has got to be meaningful to you, energize you, and motivate you in good times and bad.
The Two Questions
1 - Why have I chosen to do what I do?
2 - Why am I still doing it?
Dr. Hirschhorn suggests that one's initial response may be: to make money. That however is a reason, not necessarily the reason. There are many ways to make money. Take your time and really think about your responses to these questions. How did you get started on your current path? Find the "why" that resonates within you and ignites your passion.
It is also possible that after all this introspection you may still not be able to find the right answer. This too is a wake up call. It may time to examine a third question:
What would I rather be doing in life?
Knowing your answer to these seemingly innocent and simple questions will help you as to strive to reach your next level of success, whatever that goal may be. Write the answers down! Refer to them periodically. Once you have good reasons "why" you're doing what you're doing then you can consider the "what's" and the "how's"
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