Why are you here?
I’m not asking why you exist. I mean why are you here online?You spend hours upon hours online reading, writing, researching, archiving, creating, and connecting.At times you feel like there’s so much information pulling you in so many different directions that you don’t know which way is up. You’re not sure if you’re doing what you should be doing – or if what you’re doing is really getting you anywhere.It can be confusing, frustrating, and soul-crushingly discouraging.So why do you subject yourself to the frustration?What’s your end game?Why are you here?What is your why?
What You Do Doesn’t Matter As Much As Why You Do It
Maybe you already know your why – but if you’re like most people, you probably don’t have it nailed down just yet. And that’s fine. Your why is a moving, evolving target.Most anyone can tell you what they do or how they do it – but if you pay attention you’ll notice that truly exceptional people can tell you why they do what they do.If you were in a social situation and someone said, “I sell life insurance. Everyone needs it and it’s a good living.” – how would you react to that? Most likely with boredom or indifference, right?Now imagine instead that same person says, “I sell life insurance because my uncle died young without any in place and it was a major financial hardship for his family. I just don’t want that to ever happen to another family if I can help it.”That’s much more impactful, isn’t it? That’s why finding your why is so important.Your why is your real, deep-seated reason for what you do. It’s the heart and soul of your business. The very reason it exists.And that reason is probably a few levels deeper than you realize.
How To Find Your Why
If you’re going to invest your time and effort into doing something special online (and your presence here indicates that’s the case) then you need to put some thought into your purpose for doing what you do.One way you can begin to dig into your why is to ask yourself the following questions, or similar questions. Write down as many answers to each question as possible.
- What are your greatest skills or knacks?
- What do people call you for help with?
- What do you really love doing? What motivates you?
- How might the things you’re good at and the things you enjoy serve others?
Once you’ve answered each question as thoroughly as you can, it’s time to analyze your lists and look for places where the answers to those questions intersect.
Why Are You Here?
I’m confident that your why isn’t just “I want to make money” or “I like to write.” You could do both of those things in other ways and in other places.Something is driving you to do what you do. Maybe you can’t put words to it just yet, but deep down you and I both have a profound reason for doing what we do online.And I think we both owe it to ourselves to put in the effort to understand not only what drives us – but also how it can benefit others.So today, instead of delivering answers, I have two questions for you:Why are you here? What is your why?I really want to know. Please share it in the comments.