What is Your Why?
Have you ever taken the time to think about your “why”? Your Why is what connects you to a higher level of meaning in your life. It helps you find a connection to your work or career after a particularly crappy day. It drives you forward to that goal you really want, even after 2, 3, or 4 setbacks. It’s what lets you know that, in the end, it is all worth it.
Unfortunately, many of us don’t take the time to figure out our Why or get so bogged down in the chaos of life that we lose our connection to it. If you haven’t seen it before, I highly recommend you watch Simon Sinek’s TED Talk “Start with Why.” Our Why we do something is so much more important than What we do. However, after school (high school, college, or trade school), most of us are too concerned with what we are going to do, because the fact is, we need to make a living, be adults, pay the bills, and all those other life-things. Before you know it, it’s 5 or 10 years down the line and you look back thinking, “How did I get here?” We’ve lost, or never found, our Why.
For some, this level of meaning or purpose may seem trivial, but it’s amazing the ripple effect a Why or lack of one can have on your life. Google the words “purpose” and “resiliency.” Countless research studies have shown that when you have a connection to a higher meaning or purpose you are more able to bounce back after setbacks or failures. You are better able to drive forward, make the impact you want to make, and achieve your goals. Think about the last time you had a rough day at work. Did you pour yourself a big glass of wine at the end of the night? Bury yourself in a pint of Haagen-dazs ice cream? Or were you short with your partner or children? Did you wake up the next morning ready to take on the day and try again? The ripple effects echo in our careers and in our home lives.
Around this same time last year, I realized I had lost any connection to my Why. I just wasn’t happy with what I was doing. I’d come home unhappy and complain to my husband. Luckily, he’s an amazing human being, so he listened, but I felt guilty bringing that negative energy home. I knew I needed to reconnect with my Why to find the meaning in going to work every day. Fast forward a year and I have not only found my Why, but realized that my Why is helping others find theirs. I want to make people’s lives better, at work and at home. The most impactful way I believe I can do that is to help others connect to the meaning and purpose that drives them.
So what does that really mean? I’ve embarked on a journey to become a professional coach. No, I’m not blowing whistles on the sideline or training Olympic athletes. It means I’m training to help you find your passions, connect to your why, and achieve your goals in life, be it professional or personal. As I’m starting out on my coaching journey, I am looking for my first few clients. If you are feeling stuck or not quite sure where you are going professionally or personally, feel free to reach out. We all deserve to connect to our values, our purpose, and our Why.
I will be offering three and six-month coaching packages while I gather enough hours for certification. If you are interested, or know someone who may be, please message me! I would love to set up a sample coaching session to help you or others learn more.