Find Your "WHY"

If you've ever felt lost or unfulfilled, it might be because you haven't identified your purpose, or as Simon Sinek calls it, your "WHY". Finding your "WHY" can be tough, but once you do, you can start each day with purpose and determination. Sinek found his WHY after losing all passion for his work. He felt depressed and none of the advice he got seemed to help. After some soul-searching, he realized his "WHY" was to inspire others. Accepting this gave him clarity and optimism. Knowing his "WHY" gave Sinek's life direction and made him more confident, which attracted others to him.

This idea applies to companies too. Take Apple, for example. Despite strong competition with cheaper products, Apple's loyal customers are inspired by their motto, "Think Different," which sums up their "WHY". People prefer to support a company with a clear and progressive identity over saving a few bucks with a generic brand. To see how important a strong purpose is in business, consider two advertising pitches for a paper company. The first pitch highlights the paper's quality and price, while the second emphasizes the company's mission to create a product that helps people share their ideas with the world. The second pitch is more compelling because it explains the company's WHY.

Sometimes, we need to "advertise" ourselves, like in a job interview. For instance, when a client named Emily was interviewed by a panel of executives, she was asked what made her unique. Emily shared her WHY-her eagerness to work with others and help people become their best selves. Her clear understanding of her WHY helped her get the job. In both life and work, knowing your WHY can give you purpose and make you more appealing to others.

Passion Through the Golden Circle

If you dread going to work and find your job exhausting, it means you're not connected to your "WHY." When you find a job you're passionate about, even repetitive tasks become easy. A great way to find that passion is by using the golden circle. The golden circle, introduced in Simon Sinek's book "Start With WHY", shows how we operate on three levels.

The outer circle is "WHAT" we do, the middle circle is "HOW" we do it, and the center is the golden circle, which is "WHY" we do it. When all these circles align, you'll find a passion for your work. For example, the author met a man named Steve on a flight. Steve had been excited about his job for 23 years. WHAT Steve did was produce steel; HOW he did it was by manufacturing a pure product that's easier to recycle and creates less pollution; and WHY he did it was to keep the environment clean for future generations. Steve's "WHY" kept him energized for over two decades.

To find your "WHY," look into your past. The authors helped a young woman discover her "WHY" by having her share personal stories. Many of her stories highlighted her desire to protect her younger sister from their abusive father. So, a strong "WHY" for her would be a career in protecting vulnerable people who can't protect themselves.

Find Your "WHY" with a Fresh Perspective

If you've gone through a dozen stories from your past and still can't find your "WHY," don't worry. It can be hard to see a common theme in the things that matter to us. If you're stuck, it might be time to get a fresh perspective from someone who knows you well. This person doesn't have to be a close friend-just someone who is curious and observant. It helps if they don't know your background too well and will ask thoughtful questions and take notes.

Asking specific questions is key to discovering your "WHY." For example, "As a child, I loved visiting my cousins during summer vacation" can lead to "I loved visiting my cousins because we could explore the woods along their property and find fascinating things in nature." These details can reveal common themes and help you find your "WHY."

A good listener who asks questions will connect different stories, even if they seem unrelated. This was true for Todd, who shared three different stories: losing his basketball scholarship due to addictive behaviors, feeling frustrated as a bartender, and giving his tips to a local girl's lemonade stand, which made him feel useful. By listening to his stories, the authors discovered Todd's "WHY"-his desire to do work that truly matters and help others achieve more in their lives.

Discover Your Company's "WHY"

Even if you love your job, working for a company without a clear vision can lead to frustration. This can even happen if it's your own company! To prevent this, a simple workshop can be run to uncover your company's "WHY". For example, La Marzocco, a coffee machine company, held a workshop where employees shared stories about what it felt like to work there.

One story about a photography event sparked a revelation: their purpose was to bring people together over coffee for lively conversations. Similarly, Cuestamoras, a self-service supermarket in Costa Rica, faced a similar challenge. Founded with a clear mission by Enrique Uribe, over time, they felt disconnected from their original vision.

A workshop helped them rediscover and clarify their current purpose. By sharing stories about what the store meant to them now, they found new inspiration for innovation and community involvement. These workshops are crucial for defining a company's culture, mission, and vision. They ensure that everyone, from employees to leaders, understands and can uphold the company's values in everyday decisions.

"HOWs" Bring Purpose to "WHY"

Understanding your purpose in life is crucial, but it's equally important to know how to make that purpose a reality. The HOWs are the actions that breathe life into your WHY. For instance, Peter Docker's WHY is to empower others to achieve extraordinary things. His HOWs, like exploring new frontiers and building strong relationships, are key to making this happen.

Knowing your colleagues' HOWs is also vital. Peter collaborates with David Mead at "Start with WHY" events, where everyone shares the same goal of unlocking potential. By understanding each other's HOWs, Peter and David successfully handle challenges. For instance, they once had to adapt a workshop meant for 40 people, lasting a day, to accommodate 150 attendees in just four hours.

David's innovation skills were crucial here, allowing him to modify the content effectively. Meanwhile, Peter's knack for simplicity helped ensure clarity and unity among participants. Understanding these HOWs enables effective collaboration, ensuring that challenges are turned into successes by leveraging each other's strengths.

"HOWs" for Better Decisions

We all face tough decisions, like choosing a project, partnership, or job offer. To avoid mistakes and make the best choices, it's important to understand your HOWs. Your HOWs are the key to making decisions that help you grow. To get to know your HOWs, break them down to their core. Simon Sinek, an expert on long-term thinking, demonstrates this well.

He focuses on creating things that will last beyond his own time, rather than chasing quick profits or meeting short-term deadlines. Sinek's HOWs help him find opportunities that match his" WHY" or his main goals. For example, Sinek was once asked by a big company executive to start a new business that would "put people first." Since Sinek's "WHY" is to inspire people to reach their dreams, this offer seemed appealing.

But Sinek dug deeper and saw that the executive was more interested in making a quick profit, which didn't match Sinek's "HOWs". Sinek also values looking at things from a new perspective, something the executive wasn't interested in. By understanding his HOWs, Sinek realized this partnership wasn't right for him and politely declined. Knowing your "HOWs" can help you spot when something isn't right and guide you to make better decisions.

Share Your "WHY"

Finding your "WHY" and figuring out your "HOWs" is just the start of a fulfilling life. The next step is sharing your WHY with others. Whenever someone asks, "What do you do?" it's a great chance to practice expressing your mission. Whether you're on a plane, at a party, or waiting in a line, try explaining your WHY.

At first, you might feel a bit awkward, but that's okay. Since you likely won't see these people again, it's a safe space to refine your message. Plus, talking about your WHY will help you stay committed and take action toward it.

If your "WHY" is something like "helping people become the best version of themselves," be prepared for some skepticism. Make sure you have actions to support this bold statement. For your business, always referring back to your mission statement is important. It helps you recognize when products or services are outdated, guides you in hiring the right people, and ensures your staff's "WHY" aligns with their roles. By sharing your "WHY" and understanding others' "WHYs", you'll create better personal and professional relationships.