In the past few months I have been investing in my personal development through attending events, reading books, researching and listening to live podcasts.
One of the critical things I have learnt during this time is realizing the importance of my WHY? What is my purpose?
Going to a weekend seminar with Ed Smith of the Champion Academy was helpful in setting this out and his story is inspiring. This was further reinforced when I attended am Assets for Life property course.
While I have set about making the most of my career and working hard, I have never really had a framework or structure around the WHY. I have always pushed myself with the mantra “I’m not here to make up the numbers, the focus is on being world class”
It is hard to get truly excited about something unless you have a WHY.
People often know and can explain what they do and how they do things but very few know WHY!
This is sometimes because it is engrained into us – get a job, work hard, get promoted, have a pensions, retire and don’t think WHY !
If you look at super successful people and visionaries, they all have thought about and live by their WHY?
Think about people like Richard Branson, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet. These are global business icons. Closer to home are people like Steve Saad of Aspen Pharmacare, Rob Moore of Progressive property, Ed Smith of Champion Academy and Liam Ryan of Assets for Life.
These people all know their WHY are totally committed and passionate about achieving it. It is not just limited to individuals – this is key for companies too – it is the belief that drives the organisations. No better than Apple! We buy their products because of why they do it.
I have spent some time really thinking about the next chapter of my life- professionally and personally and am much clearer and more comfortable with my WHY now and whilst it is a journey to achieve this, I am working on progress goals to achieve it.
See the TED talk by Simon Sinek where he talks about ‘Know your Why’
https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action
Simon Sinek says ‘Working hard for something we don’t care about is called STRESS, working hard for something we love is called passion”
Think about and understand your WHY!