Business
Contrary to popular belief in the professional development space, I believe that discovering your purpose should not start with finding your “why.” Simon Sinek, an influencer in this space and the person who started a movement around this concept, states that “people like Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Jobs, and the Wright Brothers had little in common, but they all started with WHY.” While yes, each of these influential leaders knew exactly why they pursued the passions they felt called to, I suggest that it was not a “why” that initially caused them to move. They were surely inspired by their why, and it most definitely rooted them as they pursued their dreams, but I would suggest this… It started with WHO. I would contend that these influencers knew exactly who they were which helped root them in their reasons WHY. Unless we know who we are, identifying and truly understanding our why will oftentimes be met with doubt and resistance. I know this. I have lived it. I actually lived in this space of doubt for 5 years of an entrepreneurial endeavor. It wasn’t until I did the work to truly discover who I was that my “why” became meaningful, significant, and deeply rooted allowing me to become unstoppable. In Episode 11 of the Rooted In Reason Podcast, I share a personal experience that showcases why starting with why, and digging into people’s why, is not always the best place to start. Unless we truly know who we are, we will question everything about why we do the things we do and why we feel called to the things we feel called to. Start with Who. Who are you? What are the gifts, strengths, and passions God has given you? Start there!! Then, as you grow in the confidence of who you were created to be you’ll become deeply rooted in the reasons (why) behind everything you do. Tune in as I share a meaningful example of how starting with “why” can actually cause more harm than good if we don’t first understand who we are. It does not start with why. It starts with WHO.