The Why

One advantage of my new job is that we get to hear some great inspirational speakers, are encouraged to read various books and get to see film clips of great teachings. One such clip today reminded me of the heart behind any decision you make: Why?

With just one three-letter word, it's possible to assess the basis for your decisions, your actions, your responses. With one quick question, you can throw in a yellow flag that stops the game just long enough to hear the "why" and find out how you might want to adjust your course.

If you keep doing the same thing over and over and never ask why you're doing it, you might lull yourself into autopilot, never realizing that an upgrade passed you by long ago. Without checking in the rear view mirror of assessment, you may not realize that a tractor trailer is about to make you look like bug juice and you need to change course. Without asking why, you don't ever give yourself the option of learning, adapting, and growing.

People don't buy into what you do; they buy into why you do it. If you try to persuade someone to come along on a shopping errand, they may say why? When you say, "Oh come on, just come with me" that isn't anything they can buy into. When you say, "I really enjoy your company and would love to have some time with you" they hear the heart behind the action.

So pretend you're four years old again once in a while and ask "Why?" It still works, even when you're decades old, plus four. Let your heart be heard, even if you're just talking to yourself!


(c) 2010 Sheri Smith Bertolini