Know Your Why

Powerful Reminders

Those of you who’ve been reading In the Current for a while now are familiar with my referencing Chris Gardner, the entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose story was portrayed by Will Smith in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness. Last week at a conference in Palos Verdes, California, Chris was the keynote speaker, and I had the opportunity to hear him share his story and meet him personally.

One of the core messages Chris emphasizes is the importance of answering those bottom line questions: What’s really important to me? What do I want to do with my life? Who am I?

Keynote Speaker Chris Gardner, with Ginny and Conference Sponsor John Johnson

A few days later and still at the conference, I was in my hotel room, taking in the ocean view from my balcony. In folded chairs on the lawn below was a group of people assembling, the next conference rolling in. Another keynote speaker took to the stage. This time it was Sean Stephenson, a therapist, and motivational speaker who, due to a condition called osteogenesis imperfecta, was expected to die at birth and today at age 34 is only three feet tall. Just as Chris Gardner had, Sean stressed how essential it is to know what is underneath your material aspirations and to connect with a deeper vision, stating that his is: to rid the world of insecurity.

Both Chris and Sean are two powerful reminders of the bottom line.

The Bottom Line

There is always a WHAT: the goal of the moment, the thing you’re working on, what you want to achieve. Yet when you connect with your WHY, the vision becomes clearer and you have access to an infinite source of strength and motivation.

This is how some of my clients describe their Why: to be a connector, to be the voice of reason, to be a builder. And I’ve shared mine with you: to spread joy.

What is your Why? If you don’t know, find out. Even if you’re not sure at first, claim a purpose to serve. Be yourself, make a positive impact where you can, and keep doing more of what brings meaning to your life and gives you joy.

The Big Picture & The Right Here, Right Now Picture

My friend Millie Grenough says you can use the two big questions — Who am I? What am I here for? — on both a cosmic or big picture level, as well as to address the immediate present, “the right here, right now picture.”

This Week’s Call To Action:

Whether contemplating the big picture or the right here, right now picture, use these questions to connect with Your Why: What is important to me? Who am I? Why am I here?

Know what you value.
Know your purpose.
Know your why.