Where does motivation come from? Sometimes we have it, other times, when we need it most, we can’t seem to conjure it up. Why is it that some seem to have more of it than others? While there’s no secret trick, there is something very powerful that keeps a lot of people going even when they feel like giving up. That powerful something is their “Why.”
One of the most crucial elements of success isn’t your need to succeed – although that can be extremely motivating.
Your “why” often outweighs anything else that could hinder or guarantee your success.
Your why is often self-explanatory. It’s the foundation for setting specific goals and what gives those goals meaning.
Remember when you were willing to sacrifice free time, expensive purchases, and vacations for a period of time so you could build your own business or expand your brand? Looking back can you recall your reasons for wanting to pursue a certain career path that went beyond making a good living and having a fulfilling job?
Though you had logical reasons, there was a deeper motivation – a deeper why.
You want to make a good living, so you can have a family and ensure your ability to provide for them. You have the desire to help others, because you’ve seen loved ones suffer. Having a fulfilling job is important to you, because you want to feel good about yourself and your contributions, so your relationships and overall happiness benefit.
Making level-headed decisions that align with your why, especially during the beginning stages of building your business is pivotal. I make it a priority to coach my clients to look past their goals and solidify why their goals are important. We do deep introspection to find a deep and meaningful connection to intrinsic motivation – and maintain it.
That connection to your “why” is what sustains commitment especially when you experience setbacks, challenges, and changes. When you’re planning your success route, honing in on your why empowers you to make decisions that will move you closer to your goals.
Find Motivation by Determining Your Why
There are three components to consider when coming up with a plan.
- Why is this something you want to achieve?
Your reason might be your desire to have location freedom. Maybe you want to be a stay-at-home parent and still be able to work. Why is flexibility important?
Whatever your reason is – make sure you keep it in mind for every decision you make.
- Why and how will your goal benefit both you and the end user?
Will your product or service improve others’ lives exponentially?
What can you do to ensure your offer has the effect you intend it to? Sometimes our intentions can become lost in our pursuit. This is why it’s crucial to keep your ideal user’s needs and desires in mind without losing sight of your mission.
Have a vision for how your offer can benefit others, and make sure those benefits are clear to your intended audience.
Otherwise – your offer won’t fulfill its purpose.
- Why and how will your goal contribute to the greater good?
Your offer doesn’t have to be something that ends world hunger. But your ideal client needs to see value beyond what you’re providing. People like to know that they’re partnered with those who make a positive difference in the world.
Focus on helping one person – your target client – and go from there.
Every move you make should align with your why and answer these three questions. If you can’t answer these questions, spend more time on them before you start making decisions without direction.
Use Your Why to Motivate Yourself
Once you have your why figured out, you’ll find motivation is a lot easier to come by.
But don’t simply aim to get things done. Make sure your brand is filling in the gaps for someone other than just you. Work hard to ensure them that your brand is a reflection of your core values. Especially when there’s a huge price tag, your product or service needs to be an investment – not an expense.
The way you do business should appeal to the “why” of your intended audience.
Your why is the guiding star in your business. Motivation is hard to find and even harder to maintain. But if you can use your why, which is based on your core values, as a catalyst and a consistent source of motivation, you’ll find it easier to make tough decisions and move past roadblocks.
Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between a strong sense of purpose and overall well-being and success¹. Additionally, results from a 2018 study suggested that individuals with a greater sense of purpose are able to handle stress better. This is likely due to their perception of stress².
Think about it. When you feel like you have no direction, almost everything in your life seems pointless, or at least confusing. Uncertainty can be disorienting and demotivating.
Find motivation by finding your purpose. And if you’re stuck, take some time to consider those three guiding questions.
Your Why Will Take You Further Than Anything Else
Your why is your motivation. It’s what causes you to adhere to your commitment to yourself. It’s the space between your idea and your desired result. It sustains your ability to make a transformation, especially if you’re in uncharted territory.
Determining your why will keep you on the right track. You’re more likely to take necessary risks and see your goal through – despite constant obstacles – if you have your purpose guiding you.
When the process becomes unexciting or challenging – you can revisit your why to keep you consistent and find meaning in the chaos³.
If you’re building your business and don’t know where to go or how to get there, keep working to define your why. Nip your lack of motivation in the bud and find something worth fighting for.
And if you need some help getting there, book a call with me for help finding clarity and meaning. My experience as a mentor and a Master Certified Coach, combined with my outside perspective, will give you the insight you need to pin down your why and make decisions that will help you move forward in a productive and resilient manner.