Day 24 is about the importance of your “why.”
In today’s post, I want to revisit the concept of your why. If you’ll recall, your why is essentially your reason for pursuing a particular goal or resolution in the first place. It’s the underlying factor that guides your actions. That’s why it’s so important to understand it. Sometimes we think we understanding our reasoning for wanting something, and we don’t ever question or examine it. It’s my opinion that you have to truly get up close and personal with your purpose if you truly want to succeed at something. Let me explain that further and explain the importance of your why.
More About Your Why
Your why tells you what’s really important to you. It lets you prioritize your goals and helps to ensure you’re not going after something that isn’t what you truly want. Without knowing your why, it’s easy to end up chasing a dream that doesn’t suit you.
I use the word “purpose” interchangeably with the idea of why. That’s because I think your why honestly should be the purpose behind everything you do. Having a goal without fully understanding your why is setting yourself up for a difficult journey, at best, and failure, at worst.
The Importance of Your Why
The why of your resolution is important for a number of reasons. It gives you a better understanding of yourself. To fully understand why you are doing something requires self-examination. This sometimes scares people, but I can assure you it’s worth it for the results it can bring. Knowing your why provides you with a guide to follow. Without it, you’re lost and are simply moving toward what you hope is the right destination. That’s no way to get what you want.
Too Lost
If you find yourself too lost on your journey, there’s a good chance you’ll never get where you want to be. Having a thorough understanding of your why is one of the best motivators around. You can pull it out when times are the hardest. Because it’s such a deeply personal aspect based on your core values, your why should resonate with you strongly enough to move you past the challenges.
Tips for Finding Your Why
Finding your why basically boils down to asking yourself a lot of questions. The answers will help you to determine whether the goal or resolution you have in mind thoroughly resonates with you or if you should either tweak it a bit or scrap it entirely.
Journal Your Goal
Grab a pen and paper to take notes as you evaluate each goal. Write down the reasons this particular target is important to you. If you have to struggle, chances are this aspiration isn’t an authentic fit and will be difficult to achieve. Next, jot down how you will feel or what you will gain from achieving this goal. Finally, just ask yourself if reaching this milestone will make you happy. You’ll learn a lot from that question alone.
You can probably tell I’m quite passionate about the concept of why in goal setting. I highly recommend you get in touch with your own purpose in pursuing the goals you choose as we continue in this process. You’re likely to discover so much.
Why Do We Make Resolutions – Day 1
The Importance of Setting Goals – Day 2
Value of a Support System – Day 3
Motivation is Key to Progress – Day 4
Measure Your Progress – Day 5
How to Make Resolutions Stick – Day 6
Are You Making Smart Goals – Day 7
How Habits and Routines Can Help You Stick to Your Resolutions – Day 8
Don’t Go It Alone – The Value of a Support System – Day 9
Motivation Is Key – Keeping Your “Why” Front and Center – Day 10
The Value of Measuring Your Progress Along the Way – Day 11
A Journal Can Be a Powerful Tool for Goals and Resolutions – Day 12
Success Tip – Don’t Try to Change Too Much at Once – Day 13
Kick Overwhelm to the Curb by Breaking It Down into Baby Steps – Day 14
Break It Down – From Resolution to Daily Task – Day 15
Stay Motivated by Looking at How Far You’ve Come – Day 16
Celebrate Milestones, Successes & Accomplishments – Day 17
The Power of Cheerleaders, Coaches, and Cohorts – Day 18
Get Back on That Horse When You Fall Off the Wagon – Day 19
Visualization Exercises Can Help You Reach Your Goals – Day 20
Resolutions Change Over Time and That’s Ok – Day 21
Go from Resolution to a Lifestyle Change – Day 22
Keep a Habit Tracker – Day 23