How to live by the power of ‘why’

In my book Runaway Retiree, I included a section on the ‘golden circle’, as documented by Simon Sinek in his book Start with Why.

The concept is illustrated as three concentric circles.

The centre (nucleus) is ‘why’, the second circle is titled ‘how’ and the outer circle is known as ‘what’.

Why is the core of any endeavour: the motivation or reason for doing it, and is bound by core values.

How is the methodology: the processes involved in bringing the project to fruition.

What is the outcome: the results or the products and services delivered.

Sinek says this irresistible force applies to everything in nature, from simple organisms to giant corporations.

Focusing on results without due consideration and understanding of the system – and, ultimately, the reason for existence in the first place – is a recipe  for failure.

This supports my belief that the primary instinct of any living thing is to thrive, while survival is the last resort.

If insects and animals in the wild didn’t take advantage of every opportunity to multiply and breed as prolifically as possible, and instead were content to just tick along, they would soon become extinct under extreme adverse conditions.

Your why is the core reason for your present and future.

So, have a good hard think about your golden circle and imprint the core why into your subconscious.

Everything you do from here on will be governed by your unconscious compulsion to live for your why.

You can’t do anything about it.

Everything you think, do and say will be to one end: to satisfy your why.

Your why might only be one word. It might be a feeling that you can anchor and call on at will. It might be the words of an inspirational song (that I’ll bet was a fave in the ’70s.) You might keep a photo or an image that reminds you of your purpose.

A baby boomer may well have their mantra tattooed prominently, probably coded in Asian hieroglyphics.

My why is a simple phrase: “Do my best work in my seventies”. I have no tatts and only one ear piercing, but because my why is so strong, I just might consider some ink. Leave that with me.

It is imperative that you have your why absolutely covered before you turn the key to start your next project.

There’s no point driving into town to buy groceries without a shopping list; and the list is pointless without a compelling reason to walk up and down supermarket aisles, dazzling your senses with an explosion of offerings.

All your future thoughts and actions – your how and what – will be controlled by your core why.

Imagine that I have called you out of the blue on your mobile phone and asked, “What is your why?” You should be able to answer instantly, instinctively.

I won’t call you, but you should check in on yourself regularly for confirmation and to refocus.

As I anticipate the upcoming four-day Easter break, I confidently recall my retirement philosophy.

As I explained to a long-standing colleague recently, “Retirement for me is working Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Then every weekend is Easter.”

My retirement why is to have 50 Easter breaks every year, my how is to work three days a week, and my what is the best of both worlds: work and play.

If this article resonates with you, I would love to hear from you. Contact me at charliegriffithscoaching.com

 Charlie Griffiths is a certified life coach and Neuro Linguistic Programming practitioner dedicated to helping fellow professionals refocus after being diagnosed with a chronic disease.