3 Reasons to define your WHY

Do you know your WHY? What is the unique purpose of your life?


John Maxwell once said, "When you find your why, you find your way." 


It's true – and you've heard me quote this before. 


Yet, finding your why can be challenging. And when things get complicated, sometimes people quit trying to figure them out. 


One of the issues we consistently see in coaching is our clients need help defining their WHY. For some people, their purpose is as clear as the nose on their face, but for the majority, it seems, finding your WHY is more like hunting for a four-leaf clover (it’s out there somewhere, but you’re lucky if you find it) ;) 


Recently, I wrote about how to"Discover your WHY by completing these 7 statements," and it was helpful to many people. If you're struggling with defining your WHY I'd encourage you to read it. 


Today, however, I want to discuss the importance of discovering your why.


So, why does it matter that you have a WHY? Well, there are many reasons. But today, I'll focus on three.

  1. Knowing your WHY increases your effectiveness

  2. Knowing your WHY maximizes your energy.

  3. Knowing your WHY keeps you morally grounded


Let me explain…


First, knowing your WHY increases your effectiveness. – As a leader, your job is influencing people and ultimately moving the ball forward. When a leader is clear on their WHY, that clarity spreads to their team. There is no lack of focus as to what to do or the plan to accomplish it. For example, in our company, we exist to inspire and equip GREAT people to live a legacy so they can leave a legacy and show the way to the next generation. Everything we do circles back to the concept of legacy. We COULD do many good things, but if any of those "good things" don't directly inspire and equip leaders to build a better legacy, we don't do it. Having that kind of clarity frees us from getting sidetracked. Leader, there are many good things you could be doing as well. Knowing your WHY helps you to do what's best at any given moment – sharpening your effectiveness. 


Second, knowing your WHY maximizes your energy. – Similar to the first principle, it's hard to waste your energy if you always give it to what's best. When a leader is laser-focused on living out their WHY, they're freed from having too many priorities, obligations, and extras. Scientifically speaking, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Knowing your WHY shortens the path from where you are to where you are going, conserving your energy. Again, going back to our why as a company, we relentlessly discuss, write about, and create tools to help people build the legacy they hope to leave. We unashamedly talk about legacy and how our offerings can help you influence the impact you want to have. That's how we use our time, resources, and energy. It's also how we evaluate our effectiveness. If something we are working on doesn't help others build their legacy or is no longer effective, knowing our WHY permits us to stop doing it. And this process keeps our energy free to do what's best. 


Third, knowing your WHY keeps you morally grounded. Have you ever considered the link between your morals and WHY? If your WHY is the driving principle behind your life, the morals you seek to live by are deeply embedded in it. In other words, your WHY underscores what you believe about the world and others. For example, if your why is to "be an encouragement to everyone you meet, so that they have a better day through meeting you," then the morality that supports this is the understanding that people have value and dignity -- and that your encouragement can make a difference in their life. Or if you take our company's WHY again, beneath it lies the understanding that the gift of life is significant, and we want to help people make their life count. Let me repeat: your WHY underscores your beliefs about the world and others. So, knowing your WHY keeps you grounded in what you believe to be true.


Having a WHY is like having a solid set of tracks for the train of your life will run upon. It's like knowing where you want to go and steadily moving in that direction effectively, efficiently, and grounded in your morals and beliefs. 


So, have you discovered your WHY?  


If not, we'd love to help you start that process. So, please set up a no-strings-attached discovery session, and let's start a conversation about developing your unique WHY.


For your growth,


The Bill Cox Team

Bill Cox

Bill is a credentialed and experienced Executive Coach. He has spent the last 20 years coaching thousands of leaders. Bill has a passion for helping leaders get to the next level and live intentional lives of influence. As a speaker, coach, and author, Bill places exceptional value on empowering leaders to thrive professionally and personally. Bill and his wife, Moey, reside in Pennsylvania, where they experience exceeding pleasure watching their son, Joel, grow into a modern-day knight.