Do you wake up every morning excited to start your day?

Each one of us has a role to play in this thing called life.

Everybody has a purpose. Your purpose, your why, gives meaning. Meaning gives hope and significance. John Maxwell states that “Once you find your why, you will be able to find your way.”. Maxwell goes on to explain “Once you find your why, you will be able to find your way.” and tells the following story. someone asked, “Does the why always have to come first? Can you find your way and then find your why?”

When I found my why, I found my way

When I found my way, I found my will

When I found my will, I found my wings

You may be wondering the same thing. What has to come first? The good news is that either can be first. But if the why comes before the way, your ability to make a difference will come more quickly and immediately be more effective.

Think of it like this: Have you ever wondered why people often find great joy in packing for a vacation? They spend weeks in growing anticipation, looking forward to those warm days on a tropical beach or those mornings speeding down the slopes of their favorite ski resort. So they pick out each item that goes into the suitcase with great purpose.

When you get ready for a trip, almost all of your effort is focused on the purpose of the trip. That’s why it’s a lot more fun to pack for a trip than it is to unpack afterward. This concept applies more broadly to our lives. Whatever path you travel, you’re going to be able to do things more significantly because you understand your purpose for being there.

When you start your day with your why, you will find yourself continually doing things that inspire you.

So how do you find it?

You can start with self-awareness. Being self-aware is the first step in identifying your strengths / giftedness, weaknesses, joys and sorrows. It is a piece of the Personal Development puzzle. Remember “You can’t change anything you’re not aware of!”.

Ask yourself questions and reflect on the answers you get. I find it helpful to put this in writing either with pen and paper of in a word document. I try not to think before I write, but think as I write. This way I won’t overthink or over analyze the process and provide more meaningful results. Sometimes I am surprised by the content I create.

 Ask yourself:

            What do you Love with a Passion?

            What do you Hate or strongly dislike?

            What are your Dreams? What would you do if you had not restrictions?

            What are your strengths – things you do well, or have been told you

            do well?

            What are you afraid of?

            What are you Grateful for?

            What you would do for FREE?

            What Inspires you to action?

            Do you like what you are doing now?

            What would you like to be doing?

            Can you do what you would like to be doing?

            What is the difference between what you want to do and what you

            are good at?

            What drives you and gives you satisfaction?

            What are your priorities and values?

            Why do you want to do what you want to do?

            Do you know what to do so you can do what you want to do?

Simon Sinek

Start with WHY