Understanding Your "Why"

We say what we do, we sometimes say how we do it,
but we rarely say why we do what we do?
Simon Sinek

by Skip Cohen

With the quote above, author Lou Mitchell wrote:

While it's common to focus on why we do and how we do it, true inspiration and motivation come from knowing why we do it. This deeper understanding can drive our actions, align our efforts with our values, and inspire others.

So, it's Hump Day, and I like to keep it light, or at least easy to follow through on whatever idea I'm sharing. A few times over the last ten years, I've written about finding your "Why" - it's an easy concept, but in reality, a tough assignment.

Most of you are artists involved in virtually anything under the imaging umbrella. What I love the most about this business is that everyone has a different story of how they got here. For me, it was all accidental, but the longer I was in the industry, the more I grew to love it. Today, I can't imagine any other career path I could have chosen that would make me as happy as this one.

Take a few minutes and think about your "Why." And if you're having a hard time, maybe it's time to modify your journey.

There's a great story I heard years ago, about finding why...

A little girl is watching her mother make a roast beef and asks why she cuts 2 inches off the roast and throws it away...before it goes into the oven. When she asked why, the mother said, " Because that's the way my mother taught me."

So the little girl goes to the grandmother and asks the same question. The grandmother responds, "Because that's the way my mother taught me."

Last but not least, she goes to the great-grandmother and asks, "Why do you cut a piece off the roast beef before you cook it?" The great-grandmother responded, "Because I only had a pan this big, and she held her hands about ten inches apart.

There are so many of you who operate on habit and tradition, never questioning whether or not what you're doing is the best way to complete the task. You're comfortable because you've never challenged what you're doing. Does it make sense? Is it the best way to, for example, grow your business?

Remember, growth only happens outside your comfort zone. And while I normally use that line to refer to expanding your skill set and diversity in your style, it really applies to everything you're doing as a small business owner.

Take the time to find your "Why." Whether it's the big things or the minutiae that come with running a business, don't let anything get in the way of your success or happiness. Success is far more than just the bottom line. It's all about waking up every morning with a smile on your face!

Happy Hump Day!