Find Your Why.

Last month (kind of), we worked on reflection and visualizing what we want. This month, we are going to work on our passion and find our why. Why do you want your life, business, finances, whatever to get where you visualized last month?

Most people think of business and entrepreneurship when finding their why. But you can apply it to your personal dreams too. 

Finding a sense of purpose, something you can look at when times get tough, can help keep you on track and pursue your dreams. It might seem easy to pursue your dreams for a month, a quarter, or maybe even a year. But what about in five years? Ten years? How will you stay on task?

By finding your why.

Let’s say you want to get out of debt. You have some credit card debt and are tired of living paycheck to paycheck. Paying down debt can be satisfying but there are times you’ll struggle and get distracted by something shiny and new. When these things pop up, refer to your why. 

black dog on couch wrapped in blanket
Maybe your pet is your why.

But what is your why?

Your why should be something that will really help you move the needle, especially when times are tough or you come to a really boring task. Thinking about our getting out of debt example, your why could be to stop living paycheck to paycheck but will that really help you when you are struggling to stay the course?

But what if your why was providing a better future for your child(ren)? Or being able to retire at 60 instead of 70 and having the money to buy an RV and travel the country? Those are whys that will resonate with you during the harder tasks. 

Your why may change over the years. That is ok. We are always reviewing, updating, and changing course.

Let’s say your why to get out of debt was to give your child(ren) a financial headstart. You paid off your debt and started a 529 for them. Your why helped power you through those years. Now they are grown, on their own, and not buried in student loan debt. It’s time to re-evaluate your goals and your why. Now your why might be to retire in five years and be able to travel to visit all those grandbabies. 

Now is the time to grab a notebook or piece of paper and start thinking about your why for whatever you visualized in January. Write out everything you can think of. Circle things. Star them. Cross them off. Find what makes your heart sing about your dreams. 

Then make it pretty. 

Write it out. Draw it. Clip out images or photos. Whichever way works for you. Then put it somewhere you will see it when working on your dreams. Sticking with our debt-free example, if you use a budget book put your why in the book, If you work on your budget at your desk/computer, hang it above your desk. 

Look at it. Often.

What is your why? Share in the comments if you feel comfortable!

Looking for a fun group where you can share your dreams, your why, and other planning-related stuff? Head over to Runs on Planning and hit that join button!

Categories: Planning

Jenna

Jenna Volden has a degree in business and has spent the last 10 plus years working for others. She believes it is time to start her own photography and writing business. She enjoys running, coffee and helping others achieve their goals. Gluten-free foods are a lifestyle, not a choice, for her due to celiac disease. She is currently based in Phoenix, Arizona.