What is your “Why” statement?

[John Hyatt]

I hear all the time in seminars, books, and even talking with mentors to write down my “Why”. They provide the example Darren Hardy uses of walking a plank for $20 anyone would do it easily. Then they say if the plank was at the top of two skyscrapers then there is no way you would do it for $20. If however, you child was on the other skyscraper and the building was burning you would run across and save them for no money at all. They ask what changed? And the answer is your “Why” (Darren Hardy says it much better than me, but hopefully you have heard the story or similar). I have a why statement and its true its all the reasons why I would do something, but when I read it I don’t get all passionate. My main why is financial independence so I can spend time with my wife and future kids (none yet) and help those less fortunate (My actual Why statement is several sentences – this is just a summary). I feel like my “Why” statement isn’t that powerful, although it is the true reason why I work so hard and never give up.

I tried searching online for some good “why” statements, but I couldn’t find any, only mission statements.Hence, the reason for this post is, do you have a “why” statement that you would like to share? Is it supposed to make you feel passionate every time you read it? I am reading it every morning and night, but feel like I need to change it to make me more passionate when I read it. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

-John

[Travis H.]

Reasons are like underwear. You need to have a stockpile of them so you can rotate them out once they start to get all smelly and gross.

I don't use "financial independence" as a why. I tried it out, but I think that the phrase "financial independence" is just too impersonal to resonate with me. Besides, it sounds too business-y.

So I keep my why's simple. I pretty much treat them like I'm a kid writing a letter to Santa Clause.

I want to learn to fly airplanes.

I want to do work that I enjoy.

I want to have more control over my future.

I want to do work that gets me somewhere.

I want to meet cool people.

I want to build one of those kegerators out of the freezer like I saw on that YouTube video once.

I want to buy my mom the bed and breakfast that she said she wanted to start.

I want to be able to go to a freaking doctor's appointment at 1 pm without having to arrange for a substitute (I teach high school right now).

Sure, most of my reasons are selfish, and I'm okay with that. None of my reasons are in any specific format, and I'm okay with that, too. I don't need anyone to tell me if they're good reasons or not because the only person actually responsible for carrying them out has already approved them (me).

Hope that helps!