Your “why” is the reason you do what you do.
If you struggle to find a “why” for something, it may be time for a change, whether that entails a change in career or a change in perspective.
Sometimes finding your “why” can be as simple as reconnecting with your values and reframing your everyday activities in relation to these values.
Perhaps you’re dragging yourself through your last semester of grad school, but when you remind yourself of the end goal—maybe a career path that is personally meaningful or the achievement of significant expertise in your field—those late nights of studying become less of a burden and more of a privilege.
And sometimes finding your “why” means far more disruption, like leaving a dead-end relationship or choosing to move to a different country. Whatever it means to you, find it.
Because walking your why is a surefire way to cut through the messy and confusing meanderings of life to connect with who you really are.
Susan David
Susan David, Ph.D. is one of the world’s leading management thinkers and an award-winning Harvard Medical School psychologist. Her TED Talk on the topic of emotional agility has been seen by more than 10 million people. She is a frequent contributor to the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal and often appears on national radio and television. Learn more.
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