Find Your “Why” by Asking Yourself These 6 Questions

“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it” ― Gautama Buddha

This week, the CEO of the company for which I work sent out his weekly email with a task for the employees: Rediscover your why. The idea being, if you know your “why,” or your purpose, you will love what you do. Instead of thinking of your job as what you do, think of why you do it. So, for example, if you are a hairstylist, rather than saying, “I am a hairstylist,” you would say, “I love making people feel beautiful.” Stating your “why” rather than your “what” can be a theme throughout all aspects of your life and not just with your chosen profession. I can tell someone that I volunteer at Gigi’s Playhouse, which is a center for people with Down’s Syndrome, but that is the “what” and not the “why.” When I say that I volunteer at a place where I can be myself and spend time with special needs people who don’t judge me and don’t have an agenda, that is a bit more compelling. It’s also more open and honest, and I embrace that vulnerability.

Finding our “why” is the key to leading a fulfilling life because it forces us to focus on what truly matters most to us. Think of a time where you have faced real adversity. When you have been in a vulnerable position and, due to the “flight or fight” response, you became laser-focused and all of your energy was placed into one goal or purpose-to get out of whatever difficult situation you were in. As Margie Warrell states in her article on this subject: “A clear sense of purpose enables you to focus your efforts on what matters most, compelling you to take risks and push forward regardless of the odds or obstacles.” When your focus is on what matters most to you based on your values and passions, joy and fulfillment will follow.

So, how do we identify our “why?” As Ms. Warrell opines, we can find our purpose when we take an honest look at our talents, skills, passions, and values. It is through that examination process that we can find our life’s meaning.

 I scoured the internet for purpose-finding questions and narrowed them down to six:

1. What activity makes you lose track of time?
2. What makes you feel alive?
3. What subject could you talk about with enjoyment for hours?
4. What world problem moves you?
5. If money were no object, what would you do?
6. How would you like to be remembered?

So, what is my “why”, or purpose? It is to be a helper and make the world a kinder place through my writing and in every single interaction I have with each person I come across in my life. It’s a big goal but, as Nietzsche said, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”

Thank you to ClothedinScarlet.org for some of the question ideas!