Why ask WHY? (July 27, 2023)
August 20, 2023 - In: Jeff's Weekly Action Blog
Why ask WHY?
Anyone who has asked me about becoming a business owner has been hit square on the head with the “why hammer.” It is the first thing I ask them. The answers don’t concern me as much as the clarity with which they answer this most important question. Having a clear WHY (or not) has a major impact on your level of success. Ask the most successful people in the world why they do what they do, and you had better get comfortable. These people will talk for HOURS about their why. Why does WHY matter so much? It is about having a clear purpose for what you are doing. If you have a strong WHY, you will do anything to accomplish your goal because it matters to you deeply. When your activity matches your very purpose for being, you will dig deeper, work longer, and suffer through tougher times than someone who is simply going through the motions for a paycheck.
In most cases, a person’s WHY will change over time. This is particularly the case when people first start thinking about their WHY. Over the years, I have seen WHY statements ranging from “I want to take my dog on my truck” to truly inspiring statements like “I will break the cycle of poverty in my family. I am the first business owner in my family.” Whether your current WHY is more akin to the first example or the second doesn’t matter for this week’s action. By the end of the week, your task is simply to have a WHY statement.
The Nuts and Bolts
As you will learn as you go through this week’s action, coming up with a clear, concise WHY statement is not as easy as it sounds – at least not for most people. Maybe you are one of the few highly effective, purpose-driven individuals we read about in self-help books. The kind of person that seems just to be born with the keys to success (and the Porsche) already in hand. That is not most people. For most of us, this takes serious work. But it is effective work and will change how you view the world and your business.
First, get yourself a journal if you don’t already have one (yes, there are actions in this action blog). It doesn’t need to be fancy, just something to jot down your thoughts. There is a long and boring scientific explanation for why you need to take the time to write down your WHY, but I will spare you that explanation. Just know that this action will cement your purpose in your mind much more effectively than simply mulling it over while dealing with LA traffic.
Next, set aside some time. More boring scientific stuff indicates that people who set aside dedicated time to plan their primary goals are much more likely to achieve those goals than those who do not. I like to do these things in the morning. I find it helps me get into my day with more clarity. Regardless of what time of day you choose, it is important to set aside that time. It could be as little as 10 minutes a day. The quality of the time you spend is much more important than the length of time. Find a place where you are comfortable and have your journal ready ahead of time.
Ok, So Now What?
Once you have your overarching WHY statement written out, always keep it close by and read it at least once a week. Some folks print their WHY statement on a business card and put it in their wallet. I have mine written in my journal and the planner I use to track my loads. I read it periodically, and sometimes I tweak it. It is not set in stone. As you learn more, grow more, and gain more wisdom, you will find that your priorities shift. If you are young and single, chances are that money will be a higher priority than someone in their 50s who just had another grandchild born. It is important always to keep this statement in mind.
This one statement you create will make decisions easier, especially during tough times. When, as we are seeing now, the markets are in shambles, and revenue is down, your WHY will tell you what to do. Your WHY will provide you with an accurate compass when you lose sight of the shoreline. To use a sailing analogy, life is much more like tacking against the wind than racing with the trade winds. If your activities fulfill your WHY, you know you are ultimately headed in the right direction.
Why ask WHY? (July 27, 2023)
August 20, 2023 - In: Jeff's Weekly Action Blog
Why ask WHY?
Anyone who has asked me about becoming a business owner has been hit square on the head with the “why hammer.” It is the first thing I ask them. The answers don’t concern me as much as the clarity with which they answer this most important question. Having a clear WHY (or not) has a major impact on your level of success. Ask the most successful people in the world why they do what they do, and you had better get comfortable. These people will talk for HOURS about their why. Why does WHY matter so much? It is about having a clear purpose for what you are doing. If you have a strong WHY, you will do anything to accomplish your goal because it matters to you deeply. When your activity matches your very purpose for being, you will dig deeper, work longer, and suffer through tougher times than someone who is simply going through the motions for a paycheck.
In most cases, a person’s WHY will change over time. This is particularly the case when people first start thinking about their WHY. Over the years, I have seen WHY statements ranging from “I want to take my dog on my truck” to truly inspiring statements like “I will break the cycle of poverty in my family. I am the first business owner in my family.” Whether your current WHY is more akin to the first example or the second doesn’t matter for this week’s action. By the end of the week, your task is simply to have a WHY statement.
The Nuts and Bolts
As you will learn as you go through this week’s action, coming up with a clear, concise WHY statement is not as easy as it sounds – at least not for most people. Maybe you are one of the few highly effective, purpose-driven individuals we read about in self-help books. The kind of person that seems just to be born with the keys to success (and the Porsche) already in hand. That is not most people. For most of us, this takes serious work. But it is effective work and will change how you view the world and your business.
First, get yourself a journal if you don’t already have one (yes, there are actions in this action blog). It doesn’t need to be fancy, just something to jot down your thoughts. There is a long and boring scientific explanation for why you need to take the time to write down your WHY, but I will spare you that explanation. Just know that this action will cement your purpose in your mind much more effectively than simply mulling it over while dealing with LA traffic.
Next, set aside some time. More boring scientific stuff indicates that people who set aside dedicated time to plan their primary goals are much more likely to achieve those goals than those who do not. I like to do these things in the morning. I find it helps me get into my day with more clarity. Regardless of what time of day you choose, it is important to set aside that time. It could be as little as 10 minutes a day. The quality of the time you spend is much more important than the length of time. Find a place where you are comfortable and have your journal ready ahead of time.
Ok, So Now What?
Once you have your overarching WHY statement written out, always keep it close by and read it at least once a week. Some folks print their WHY statement on a business card and put it in their wallet. I have mine written in my journal and the planner I use to track my loads. I read it periodically, and sometimes I tweak it. It is not set in stone. As you learn more, grow more, and gain more wisdom, you will find that your priorities shift. If you are young and single, chances are that money will be a higher priority than someone in their 50s who just had another grandchild born. It is important always to keep this statement in mind.
This one statement you create will make decisions easier, especially during tough times. When, as we are seeing now, the markets are in shambles, and revenue is down, your WHY will tell you what to do. Your WHY will provide you with an accurate compass when you lose sight of the shoreline. To use a sailing analogy, life is much more like tacking against the wind than racing with the trade winds. If your activities fulfill your WHY, you know you are ultimately headed in the right direction.
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The Road Warriors Entrepreneurs (RWE) is a powerful network of owner-operators and independent truckers committed to turning time on the road into successful, profitable businesses.