Why Do You Do It? Finding Your Driving Force

Reflecting on my life, I realized achieving all the goals I set out to achieve took a great deal of patience and extreme commitment. In my previous blog, “A Journey of Self-Discovery,” I shared a bit about my personal experiences as a mom, a wife, and a full-time employee. In this post, I want to delve deeper into the topic of motivation and goal-setting.

The Power of Your ‘Why’

Many of us, when we think of a goal we want to achieve, jump in head first without a thought. This was something I consistently did, which hindered my success. One day, I looked in the mirror and didn’t like what looked back at me. I had put on a lot of weight, so I said, “I want to lose weight!” I started cutting back on the food I loved. Next, I’m working out full speed ahead five days per week, sweating to the oldies. I spent two to three months dieting and exercising and lost a lot of weight.

Then it happened: the burnout occurred, and the excuses crept in. Next thing I know, I’m introducing a cheat day on the weekend to reward myself for working so hard. I lost about ten pounds, so I don’t need five days now; four days will be enough. Things started diminishing, and I returned to ordering pizza and fries through Uber Eats while Netflixing and chilling.

The spark that ignites your goals

Understanding our ‘why’ is crucial to achieving our goals. The ‘why’ is the driving force behind our actions and decisions. It’s the spark that ignites our passion and keeps us motivated even when faced with challenges. Without a clear ‘why,’ you might struggle to stay focused or feel unfulfilled in anything you’re trying to accomplish. If a car is how we navigate life, the gas is the why. Without gas, you won’t go far enough to reach your destination.

Uncover Your True Motivation

To identify your ‘why,’ start by asking yourself why your goal matters. What makes this goal significant to you personally? Setting goals based on what seems important or what others expect of you is easy. However, true motivation comes from understanding what makes your goal resonate deeply with your values and desires. This wouldn’t be a motivational blog if I didn’t provide some examples. If you want to improve your fitness, as I did, ask yourself why being fit is essential. Remember, your ‘why’ is your gas, and we’re not doing regular over here; we are filling up with Premium Petro. In this example, we won’t say, “I want to be skinner or anything related to a scale. Your true ‘why’ goes deeper than that, so dig deep down and be honest with yourself.

The driving force behind your ambitions

To identify your ‘why,’ start by asking yourself why your goal matters. What makes this goal significant to you personally? Setting goals based on what seems important or what others expect of you is easy. However, true motivation comes from understanding what makes your goal resonate deeply with your values and desires.

If you’re struggling to figure out your ‘why,’ break your goal down until you can’t break it down any further. Do you want a new job? Why? To make more money, why do you need more money? I would keep asking myself questions until there were no more questions. Once there are no more questions, you reach your ‘why.’

Dig Deeper

Reflect on your core values and how they align with your goals. Your ‘why’ often ties back to your fundamental beliefs and what you hold dear. If you value family, achieving a healthier lifestyle might stem from wanting to be active with your loved ones. Digging deeper into your values can clarify how your goal contributes to a greater sense of fulfillment. There’s nothing more motivating than having a passionate purpose behind your goal.

The passion that drives your dreams

I’m genuinely passionate about helping and encouraging people, which drove me to create this blog. I want this blog to grow and to encourage people all over as a way to share my gift. By combining my passions with my values, I came up with the idea of creating this motivational blog. I’m not doing this because of anything tangible I can get, but more for what I give and serve the world. If one thing I post reaches the right person when they need it, I consider it a win. Understanding this connection helps transform personal goals from mere tasks into meaningful pursuits.

Visualizing the Impact of Your Goal

Visualization is a powerful tool for understanding your ‘why.’ Imagine yourself achieving your goal and how it will impact your life. Picture the feelings of satisfaction, happiness, and accomplishment. This step hits home because many people don’t realize how important it is to see yourself achieving your goal. Know that you’re always right; if you think you can, or if you think you can’t, you’re right. If you can see yourself with your desired goal, you’ll see the path to make it happen. The reverse is true because if you don’t believe, why try?

The outcomes of visualization

Visualizing your outcome can reinforce the importance of your goal and clarify why you’re working towards it. If your ‘why’ involves becoming a role model for your children, visualize the joy you’ll feel when you inspire them. This mental image strengthens your motivation and keeps you focused on the end result.

Add Your ‘Why’ to Your Daily Routine

You’ve identified your ‘why,’ now what? The next step is integrating small, achievable tasks into your daily routine to help you reach your goal. Use your ‘why’ as a constant reminder of the choices and sacrifices you will make. If your ‘why’ is to build a successful career to provide for your family, remember that goal daily. So, before you sit and binge-watch “House of the Dragon,” think, is this helping move me closer to my goal? Perform leisure activities but practice good discernment and create a healthy balance.

Stay Accountable and Reflect

Staying accountable to your ‘why’ involves regular reflection and adjustment. I love writing, so I keep everything I want to accomplish for the week in a planner journal. Every Sunday, I think through what I want to achieve each day of the upcoming week. I have two categories: the must-get-done category and the would-be-a-bonus-to-get-done category. It took some time for me to establish a routine with this method.

Building Trust in yourself

I had to build self-trust first because I had no faith in myself. It took a while, but I learned to keep the promises I made to myself. Now, when I commit to something, I follow through no matter what. This was a process I had to learn how to do, and it didn’t happen overnight. It sounds simple when all you have to do is what you say you will do, but nope, it wasn’t. I would devise a million excuses or keep putting something off until it never got done. We’ll reach our goal if we set aside time to review our progress and ensure our actions align with our goals.

Drifting from your goals

If you find yourself drifting away from your goal, remind yourself of the reasons behind your pursuit. Accountability also means honesty about your progress and any obstacles you may encounter. Reflecting helps us stay focused on why we started in the first place.

Celebrate Your Progress

Remember to celebrate the milestones along the way. Okay, okay, we can have a cheat day. Acknowledging your progress reinforces the significance of your ‘why’ and motivates you to continue. Whether it’s a small achievement or a significant breakthrough, appreciate how far you’ve come. Also, don’t be afraid to adjust your approach if needed.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, by digging deeper into your values, visualizing the impact of your success, and staying accountable, you can unleash your inner motivation and create a more fulfilling life. Embrace your ‘why’ as a driving force that keeps you focused and inspired.

For additional information, the Havard Business Review also has a motivational blog where they wrote an excellent article. You can view the article here.