Finding Your Why: Living with Purpose Beyond Yourself
Life can be a challenging journey for all of us, and if we’re being truly honest, it seems like everyone is struggling in one way or another, trying to figure things out. Many of us — including myself — weren’t born with a clear, laid-out plan for our lives. Even when there is a plan, some of us might choose to rebel against it. We’re all in this ongoing process of figuring out different aspects of our lives — whether it’s school, work, personal relationships, or business. And it’s not easy.
In today’s world, we’re surrounded by so many opportunities and possibilities that it can be overwhelming. The sheer abundance of choices makes it hard to focus or even know what we truly want. Is this a bad thing? It can be — too many options can lead to confusion — but it also opens up new avenues we might not have considered.
At the heart of it all, though, there’s one simple but crucial question you need to ask yourself: Why?
Why do you want to pursue this path? Why are you drawn to that particular goal? Your “why” is your driving force. If your reason for doing something isn’t strong enough, you’ll eventually lose motivation. Without a clear and compelling “why,” even the most exciting goals will start to feel burdensome, and you’ll likely give up before you achieve anything significant.
I had an eye-opening conversation recently with an electrician friend on my way to buy food. He’s married with two beautiful children, and we ended up talking a lot about family life, which is something I’m deeply interested in. I believe family is the most beautiful thing on this planet. During our conversation, he emphasized something that struck me — he said the reason he wakes up every day and works hard is for his family. He summed it up in one powerful sentence: ”I do it for my family!”
That really hit home for me. He has found a purpose greater than himself to serve. When you live to serve others, especially those you care deeply about, you give it everything you’ve got. If everything you do is only for yourself, eventually you’ll run out of steam. It’s not just your passion for the craft or the work that will keep you going in the long run. It’s your passion for the people you’re serving.
This is a perspective shift we all need to have: life isn’t just about us. We exist to make a difference in the lives of others. Consider the trees — do they exist for themselves? No. They provide oxygen, give shade, and bear fruit. They exist to benefit the world around them.
So, ask yourself: What do you do? Who are you living for? Because whether you realize it or not, you’re already living for something or someone. The question is, what or who is it? The moment you discover this, your actions, motivations, and life path will become much clearer.
