What's YOUR "Why?"
As entrepreneurs, we tend to focus on two things: our WHO – who we are, and our WHAT – what we do. All too often, we tend to overlook our essential WHY – the inspiration and motivation that connects us to our passion, purpose and, our reason for being in business in the first place.
Of course our WHO and WHAT are important, but the true secret ingredient is our WHY.
Our WHY is the reason we get out of bed extra early to write that newsletter, why we are able talk to a group of people when we are terrified to speak publicly. It’s the reason we are willing to walk the extra mile, to stretch, and grow, and take risks for our businesses. It is what gives us belief in our ideas, has us jonesing to create something new.
Our WHY can be as simple (and yet profound) as seeing a need and wanting to make a difference. It can be the desire to create something that authentically expresses who we are, to go where no one has gone before. We can have many WHYs that serve as our muses, so it’s key to make friends with ones that include our values and visions. In fact, our WHY has is at the foundation of those values and visions.
Everyone has their own WHY, they are as unique as our fingerprints. When we honor them, miracles can happen. We can become unstoppable.
About now, you may be asking yourself, “How this is important to being an entrepreneur? The marketing programs tell me to focus on the pain points of others. I need to get clients. Where does this fit in?” It fits in perfectly – promise. In fact, it is the foundation for all the fulfilling, successful work that you do.
Of course, it’s true that occasionally it can seem like we are surrounded by people telling us our ideas won’t work, our businesses are doomed, we are too young, too old, not smart enough, no one will pay us for what we do, we won’t have clients, and all the rest. And, sometimes, that someone is our own inner critic. Not to get too deep here, but this is when our “shadow whys” can come out. (But, that’s a topic for another day.) What’s important is for you not to get drawn in to their stories. Stay true to your own WHY.
Some of you may be really clear on your WHY and are aligned with it every day, some may know your WHYS and be not be connecting, and others may still be searching for your WHY. No matter where you are, why not get acquainted (or reacquainted) and get going!
This week, why not set aside some time for an inner excursion to reconnect with your WHY? You probably have ideas of your own, but if you are feeling stuck, here are a few ways to get you started:
meditate
journal
make a vision map
or a mind map
take a walk
take a nap
have fun
be grateful
you get the idea…