Beyond Motivation: How to Navigate your WHY
There’s one thing about me that I still find hard to grasp. One day I feel as if I am going to tackle the world — just to find myself a few days later procrastinating doing the very thing that I was initially so excited about. And when that happens I remember myself why I do what I do. It changed my life — and it might change yours, too.
Motivation gets you started
Motivation, that elusive sprite that dances in and out of our lives, often leaves us wondering how to capture its essence and keep it flowing. To understand and harness motivation, we need to go deeper. We are well of using self-reflection and the art of understanding our ‘why’.
Motivation is woven with the threads of our desires, goals, and the deeper understanding of why these goals matter. Self-reflection plays a pivotal role in this process.
It’s like having a heart-to-heart with oneself, asking the tough questions: Why do I want to achieve this goal? What does it mean to me? The answers to these questions are the fuel that keeps our motivational engine running even when the road gets bumpy.
Understanding your ‘why’ is akin to finding a compass in the wilderness of distractions and daily grind.
When you know why you’re doing what you’re doing, you align your actions with your core values. Each step towards your goal becomes more meaningful and less of a chore.
Is it still going to be uncomfortable? Yes, surely. But your Why will help you see the big picture.
Self-Reflection helps you understand the Significance of your Actions
Engaging in self-reflection helps us understand our strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to navigate obstacles effectively and become more resilient and adaptable.
When we reflect, we learn.
We understand not just the what and the how, but the why. This understanding is empowering. It gives our goals a new dimension, a personal significance that goes beyond mere checkboxes on a to-do list.
Self-reflection and understanding your purpose provides a strong foundation for maintaining motivation over time. It's similar to constructing a lighthouse that guides you back on course whenever you veer off. This combination is a powerful tool for setting goals. It guarantees that your goals are not just endpoints.
Your goals are meaningful representations of your deepest desires and principles.
Motivation ebbs and flows, that’s why understanding the ‘why’ behind our actions and regularly engaging in self-reflection will help us stay true to our course, making the journey towards our goals as fulfilling as the achievement of the goals themselves.
When motivation leaves you — it always will — remembering the why helps us stay on track.
