Finding Focus: Why Knowing Your 'Why' Matters More Than 'When' or 'How'

For everything we do, there is a bound that we lose focus at certain points. At these points, we ask ourselves questions that seek answers to the way forward, but most often we always ask the wrong questions. The right question to ask is the "why" question. The solution to every problem on earth, to every goal yet to be achieved, to dreams yet to be realised is based on the why question. In there we find the solution we seek.

Let's paint a scenario. Take, for instance, you are struggling in your career or learning a particular skill so that you can have a career of your dreams. The how questions would definitely help you through out to knowing what resources and what you need to learn to attain those dreams, but the truth is, it is not enough to get you there. Along the way, when the dream does not actually come true, after a number of job applications and rejections, your mind starts beginning to ask more questions. These questions are the questions of when.

At these points, your mind begins to wonder about other career options to jump into, forgetting the dream you once had, the vision you had once looked upon. Why so? You had forgotten the reason you first started; you have forgotten your "why."?

It is also the same reason why students that gain admission into school along the way lose sight of academic excellence and chase other goals, forgetting the main reason why they wanted admission in the first place. Yeah, it is true that there could be a couple of reasons attached to it, but if the WHY question is remembered, a place of priority will be set to stay through no matter the hardship and challenges.

It is also applicable in relationships as well; if one partner forgets the "why" the relationship was formed in the first place, why they are together, then there is bound that the particular partner can get distracted on the course.

If your "why" reason is not cemented enough, it would be very difficult to stay committed to your goals; to whatever activity that you do, you get easily distracted at the tiny face of challenges. You will forget the underlying motivation; we forget the drive if you don't keep asking yourself "why" you started the journey.

Many people who have crossed the bridge of success regardless of the hardship they faced did so because they remembered their why. They remembered what had to be done to make their "why" fulfilled. Your why statement is what will take you through those feelings of doubt, the face of challenges, and when it seems impossible to continue.

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Developing Your Why

Before taking a step, a goal, either in your career, life, or relationship, it is always important to develop your why, as it will remind you during the course of the journey. So what do you need to do first?

Reflect

Take your time and reflect on how you feel taking this step—the drive that makes you want to begin this step. What are you trying to achieve, where are you going, and where do you see yourself in the future?

It is natural to always wonder for the best approach and wonder about timing, but your why statement will give you the motivation to persevere regardless of external uncertainties.

Revisit and Refine

There are possibilities you didn't pour out all your heart into your why statement; it can always be refined to the best way you can put it. But make sure you regularly visit it.

Let your why statement be a daily reminder; say it to yourself every morning; if possible, write it down daily; or journal about your why each day and see how it helps keep your focus and drive regardless of the uncertainties you will face.