I’ve briefly touched upon the concept of knowing your why when it comes to goal setting and resolutions. This idea is the reason you want to accomplish a certain thing to begin with. It’s the purpose that will drive you to achieve it, during both good times and bad. Especially during periods of struggle or when the going gets tough, keeping your why front and center will provide you with the motivation you need to keep going when what you really may want is to give up. Allow me to expand upon what the why means and its importance so that you can return to this important concept again and again when you need it most.
About Your Why
Your why should be very personal to you. It’s the reason for why you, specifically, wish to accomplish a goal. It’s imperative that this reason be meaningful to you, rather than something pushed upon you by an outside force. What someone else wants for you or what you think you should want isn’t significant enough to sustain your why. This driving force needs to be something that can outlast any challenges. For instance, deciding to lose weight is something most of us have declared as a resolution. If we want to be successful in that pursuit, we need to understand just why it’s important to us. Reminding yourself regularly that your independence, your energy levels and your loved ones are the reasons you want to shed pounds will keep you going during the hard times.
Finding Your Why
Finding your why and deciding upon it is an activity that will take some time and dedication. Set aside a quiet moment for this exercise. Return to it if necessary. This isn’t something that must happen all at once. To begin, start with just one goal. Write it down. Make sure it’s measurable and that it has an end point. Next, brainstorm your motivations for wanting to achieve that goal. Jot them down. Try to come up with at least three strong reasons for why this accomplishment is important to you. Decide which of the items on your list resonate most with you. Revise your reasons so that they’re in order of importance. You can then set the list aside. Make sure it’s accessible. You’ll need to return to it again and again when you find yourself struggling.
Keeping It Central
You and I both know that we’re apt to fail when the important things begin to slip our mind. That’s why it’s so important to keep your why at the forefront of your resolutions. There are lots of little tricks you can employ to make it easier to remember your why. If you enjoy writing, keep a journal. Write down your personal reasons for wanting a dream to come true. Expand upon its importance. Imagine what it will be like when you achieve your goal. Place post-it notes where you can see them, as visual reminders of that thing you want most. Spend time with like-minded folks who are trying to achieve the same thing. You can motivate each other and hold yourselves accountable to one another.
You now know more about what the purpose of understanding your why is. I hope you’re ready to declare your very own why and to use it to guide your resolutions.
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