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Case
Sam was once a high-flying executive in a multinational corporation, jetting from city to city, brokering deals, and shaking hands with powerful figures across the globe. He had a reputation for getting things done, often at whatever cost. Sammy, as he was known in his younger years, was a star, a symbol of corporate success. Yet beneath the fancy suits and the glittering watch, Sam was lost.
One day, a health scare jolted Sam out of his breakneck pace life. The doctor warned him that if he continued with his lifestyle, he might not live to see another few years. This became a wake-up call for Sam. He started asking himself hard questions. What did he truly want in life? Who was he beyond his role as a corporate executive? Was the path he was walking truly his own, or was he merely following a script written for him by society?
In that journey of self-discovery, Sam realized that his ‘Why’ was to create a nurturing and empowering environment for his employees. He had spent his years chasing after numbers and quotas, but his purpose, as he discovered, was much more meaningful.
His ‘Why’ became his filter. When opportunities came knocking, he no longer evaluated them based on monetary gain alone. He examined them through the lens of his newfound purpose. Would this opportunity allow him to create a more nurturing environment for his employees? Would it empower them not just as employees, but as individuals? If the answer was ‘No’, he would graciously decline.
Even the decisions he made took a different turn. He no longer made decisions solely based on progress reports and numbers. He started making decisions that were in alignment with his ‘Why’. He started investing in programs that focused on employee wellbeing and personal growth. Companies that offered such programs were favored over those that did not. He even started turning down deals with companies known for their unethical practices, even if it meant losing out on profits. For Sam, adhering to his ‘Why’ was worth more than any amount of money.
Sam experienced a marked change in his life. Not only was he happier, but he found that his employees were also more engaged and more productive. His company’s attrition rate dropped, and despite turning down profitable deals, the company’s overall performance improved.
In an industry where profits often come before people, Sam stood out, all because he dared to apply his ‘Why’ as a filter to evaluate opportunities and decisions. Sam’s journey serves as a potent reminder of the power of purpose. It shows that when we discover our ‘Why’, and when we use it as a filter to make decisions and evaluate opportunities, we don’t just create a more fulfilling life for ourselves, but also for those around us. So let’s ask ourselves, what is our ‘Why’? How can we use it as our filter?
Resources
Video
Podcast
Tips
“Your Why is Your Filter”: This powerful statement can be the guiding beacon that helps you evaluate opportunities and decisions in your life. By keeping your ‘why’ at the forefront, you create a filter that sifts through the noise and ensures your focus remains on what truly matters to you.
1. **Identify Your ‘Why’:** At the core of this concept is your ‘why’, the driving force behind your actions. It could be a passion, a long-term goal, a value you hold dear, or your sense of purpose. Understanding your ‘why’ involves self-reflection and awareness. It isn’t always easy, but once you have it clearly defined, it’s a powerful tool.
2. **Use Your ‘Why’ as a Filter:** Your ‘why’ should guide your decision-making process. When faced with a decision or opportunity, ask yourself: does this align with my ‘why’? If the answer is yes, it’s likely a worthwhile pursuit. If the answer is no, you may want to reconsider.
3. **Stay Aligned to Your ‘Why’:** Keep your ‘why’ in the forefront of your mind, reminding yourself of it regularly. This helps to keep your actions and decisions aligned with your overarching purpose. Your ‘why’ can act as a beacon when you’re unsure of which path to take.
If problems arise when using your ‘why’ as a filter, here are some solutions:
1. **Unclear ‘Why’:** If you’re having trouble identifying your ‘why’, take time for introspection. Reflect on what motivates and drives you. What are your values and passions? You may find it helpful to write down your thoughts or discuss them with a trusted friend or mentor.
2. **Misalignment:** If you find your decisions aren’t aligning with your ‘why’, it’s time to step back and reassess. It could be that your ‘why’ has evolved or that you’ve been led astray by distractions or perceived expectations.
3. **Overwhelm:** Using your ‘why’ as your primary decision-making tool can feel overwhelming at times. If this happens, try breaking down larger decisions into smaller, manageable steps. Additionally, remember to be flexible. Your ‘why’ is a guide, not a rigid set of rules, and it’s okay to make exceptions sometimes.
Remember, your ‘why’ is uniquely yours. It should inspire and motivate you, providing a clear lens through which to view your choices. ‘Your Why is your filter’; use it wisely to create the life you desire.
Challenges
1. Reflect On Your Core Values: Take time out of your busy schedule to reflect. Write down what you value most in life and how these values shape your decisions. These could be things like honesty, integrity, family, or creativity.
2. Define “Your Why”: This goes hand in hand with your core values. Your ‘Why’ is your purpose, the reason you get out of bed every morning. It could be to provide for your family, to make a positive impact on the world, or to express your creative ideas. Whatever it is, write it down.
3. Evaluate Opportunities: With your ‘Why’ and core values in mind, review current opportunities or decisions you have. Do they align with your ‘Why’? If not, it might be time to let them go.
4. Make Conscious Decisions: Moving forward, use ‘Your Why’ as a filter for every decision you make. Ask yourself, “Does this align with my ‘Why’?” If the answer is yes, go for it. If the answer is no, reconsider.
5. Regular Check-Ins: Periodically review your ‘Why’ and how well you’re sticking to it. This habit will help you stay true to your ‘Why’ and not get caught up in the daily grind.
6. Share Your ‘Why’: Start conversations with people about your ‘Why’. You might inspire others to find their ‘Why’, and their perspectives might even help refine your own ‘Why’.
7. Embrace Changes: Your ‘Why’ might evolve over time, and that’s okay. The important thing is to stay true to yourself and use ‘Your Why’ as a constant guide in your life.
8. Patience Is Key: Remember, finding and sticking to your ‘Why’ is a journey. Face it with patience and courage. It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it.
Reflect
Have you ever considered how your ‘Why’ can serve as an accurate compass guiding your decisions and opportunities? What if your ‘Why’ is the key to aligning your choices with your values? What would it look like if you used your ‘Why’ as a filter for everything you pursue? How would that transform your life, your productivity, and your personal satisfaction? What impacts do you think this approach would have on your personal brand, your business, or your career?
Action
First off, make a conscious decision to embrace your ‘Why’. That means acknowledging it, understanding it, and most importantly, using it to guide you in your life journey. Your ‘Why’ is your personal statement of purpose; it is the reason you do what you do and the motivation behind your actions. Embrace it, and let it guide you through life’s challenges and opportunities.
Next, evaluate your current lifestyle and decisions against your ‘Why’. Are you living in alignment with it? Are the things you are doing contributing in a meaningful way to your ‘Why’? If the answer is ‘no’, then it’s time to make some changes.
Begin by making a list of all the things you do on a regular basis. This could be your job, the activities you engage in, the people you spend time with, and so on. Once you have this list, take the time to evaluate each item against your ‘Why’. If something doesn’t contribute or aligns with your ‘Why’, consider removing it from your life.
Remember, your ‘Why’ is your filter. It helps you sift through life’s opportunities and decisions, allowing you to focus on what truly matters to you.
Now, let’s take this a step further. Not only should you use your ‘Why’ as a filter for your current lifestyle and decisions, but you should also use it to evaluate future opportunities and decisions.
Whenever you are presented with a new opportunity or decision, ask yourself: “Does this align with my ‘Why’?” If the answer is ‘yes’, then it’s likely a good decision or opportunity for you. If the answer is ‘no’, then perhaps it’s something you should pass on.
This can be a challenging process. You may face decisions or opportunities that seem attractive, but when evaluated against your ‘Why’, they simply don’t align. It’s crucial to remain disciplined and committed to your ‘Why’. Your commitment to your ‘Why’ is what will help you live a life that is true to who you are and what you believe in.
Remember, your ‘Why’ is not just a statement or a phrase. It’s not something you think about once and then forget. It’s a constant guide, a North Star, that directs your decisions and actions. It’s your personal mission statement, and it’s up to you to live it out every single day.
In conclusion, using your ‘Why’ as a filter is a powerful way to live a purpose-driven life. It helps you make decisions that align with your values, passions, and purpose. It leads you to opportunities that contribute to your ‘Why’, and steers you away from distractions that don’t. Begin using your ‘Why’ as a filter today, and experience the fulfillment and satisfaction that comes from living a life aligned with your purpose.
Trend
“Your Why is Your Filter” is a powerful principle that encourages individuals and organizations to use their purpose – that is, their ‘why’ – as a yardstick for evaluating opportunities and making decisions. Rather than taking a scattershot approach to life or business, it encourages strategic thinking, centered on core principles and long-term goals.
Understanding your ‘why’ is the first step. This generally involves introspection and self-evaluation. You have to explore your dreams, your passions, your values, and your priorities. You need to ask yourself hard questions, like “What truly matters to me?” and “What impact do I want to have on the world?” Your ‘why,’ when you find it, should be something that inspires you, fuels you, and brings you satisfaction.
Once you’ve identified your ‘why,’ you can start using it as a filter. This means that when you’re faced with opportunities or decisions, you measure them against your ‘why.’ For instance, if you’re running a business and your ‘why’ is to drive innovative solutions that better people’s lives, you might turn down an opportunity to develop a product that is profit-driven but contributes little to society. Or maybe you decide not to collaborate with a business that doesn’t fit your ‘why,’ even if the prospective earnings look quite promising.
Conversely, you might be more inclined to take risks or make sacrifices for opportunities that align with your ‘why’. For a non-profit organization whose ‘why’ is to eradicate hunger, this might mean investing a significant portion of its budget in a potentially high-impact but risky project, because it aligns with their mission. Sticking with your ‘why’ in decision-making might not always lead to immediate gains, but it keeps you focused on the bigger picture, and this consistent alignment often leads to long-term success and fulfillment.
The concept of using your ‘why’ as a filter also applies in personal life. Imagine you’re someone whose ‘why’ is to create a balanced life that prioritizes family time and personal growth. You might need to turn down a high-paying job that requires long hours and frequent travel, not because you don’t crave success, but because this specific opportunity doesn’t line up with your ‘why.’
In an increasingly fast-paced world, where we are often bombarded with opportunities and decisions, having a ‘why’ as a filter is essential. It enables you to navigate through the noise and stay true to what really matters to you. Your ‘why’ acts as a compass, guiding you towards purposeful action, helping to sculpt your personal and professional life around your core principles. It also helps in setting clear boundaries and avoiding the trap of saying ‘yes’ to everything, a habit that can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction.
“Your Why is Your Filter” is not just a fancy phrase; it’s a powerful tool. It guides you to make decisions that align with your values and purpose. It encourages a focus on the long-term impact rather than short-term gains, and above all, it serves as a constant reminder of why you do what you do. It inspires resilience, determination, and the courage to say ‘no’ when needed, shaping a life or organization that’s not only successful but also purpose-driven and fulfilling.
Faq
1. What is meant by “Your why is your filter”?
“Your why is your filter” refers to the idea that your purpose—the underlying reason why you do what you do—should serve as a filter or benchmark against which you evaluate opportunities and decisions. Your why is essentially your true north, your guiding principle, which keeps you aligned with what you believe in and where you want to go. When faced with choices, you can ask yourself, “Does this align with my why?” Using your why as a filter, you can ensure that your actions and decisions are congruent with your values and goals, and not propelled by fleeting desires or external pressures.
2. Why is it important to define one’s why?
Defining one’s “why” is pivotal because it provides clarity and direction. It’s like a compass that guides us through both tranquil and tempestuous waters. In the absence of a clearly defined why, we may find ourselves adrift in the sea of life, potentially succumbing to circumstances, trends, or the dictates of others. However, when our why is clear, we can navigate towards our desired destination with focus and commitment, making decisions that promote our values and aspirations.
3. How does one find their why?
Finding your why is a journey of self-discovery. It begins with introspection—evaluating your values, passions, talents, and the difference you’d like to make in the world. Ask yourself probing questions like, “What truly energizes me?” “What would I do even if I weren’t paid?” “What societal problem would I love to solve?” Your answers can help you identify your why. Moreover, reflecting on those moments when you felt most alive or fulfilled can also provide clues to your why.
4. What is the relationship between why and decision-making?
Your why—your guiding principle—should ideally inform your decisions. Imagine your why as a sieve: just as a sieve filters out unwanted elements, your why allows you to filter out choices that are not aligned with your purpose, values, and goals. Whether you’re contemplating a career change, a new project, or a significant life decision, asking “Does this resonate with my why?” can help you make decisions that are congruent with your authentic self.
5. How can one’s why aid in identifying opportunities?
When you understand your why, opportunities that align with it become easier to spot. Your why functions like a beacon, illuminating paths that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Consequently, understanding your why can help you seize opportunities that resonate with your purpose and are likely to bring you fulfillment and meaning.
6. Can one’s why change over time?
Certainly! Just as we evolve over time, so can our why. Life experiences, growth, and shifts in our values or circumstances can prompt us to redefine our why. This is natural and healthy. Just remember: to continue using your why as an effective filter, ensure that it remains clear, updated, and aligned with who you are and whom you aspire to become.
7. How does understanding one’s why contribute to overall well-being?
Understanding your why has a profound impact on your well-being. It enhances your self-awareness and guides you towards choices that align with your authentic self, leading to greater satisfaction, fulfillment, and inner peace. It promotes resilience and motivation, fuels your passion, and infuses your journey with a sense of purpose. Moreover, living in alignment with your why leads to consistency between what you believe, what you do, and how you live, contributing to holistic wellness.
Remember, your why is more than just a filter; it’s the foundation of your authenticity, the essence of your unique journey, and a testament to your courage and commitment to live purposefully.
Quiz