Start With Why, But What You Do Is Equally Important

The REASON for starting a business will give you a sense of clarity on the outcome you want to create.

It’s a source of motivation and never-ending energy, especially in a world where there are so many people that seem to be doing the same thing you’re doing but are getting totally different results.

If your WHY is what keeps you going… your north-star guide… then, the WHAT will determine HOW you get there.

Your Why vs Money

You’ve heard it a million times before:

Money can’t buy happiness.

… Sounds like an unfinished statement, doesn’t it?

That’s because money is a universal tool in society that we understand is required to get and do the things that can bring us satisfaction.

For example, while this study didn’t cover how income specifically affects life satisfaction, researchers agree that it also impacts people’s happiness.

A 2010 study out of Princeton University found that there’s a correlation between happiness and wealth, to a point of about $75,000 per year. When people make more than $75,000 a year, their happiness doesn’t increase, but the lower their income is the worse they feel, the study found.

Source.

So, money is a good motivator. It’s important feedback that lets you know what you’re doing is valuable, and in line with your goals and intents.

But, money on it’s own will not make you rich and successful.

Why Money Alone Isn’t Enough

You have goals, dreams, accomplishments you want to achieve, debts you want to pay off, comforts and experiences you want in your life, a vision for you and your family… all of which need money.

That’s good enough reason to put money as the #1 sole focus… or is it?

There have been several people who on reflection, regret making decisions based just on money.

Myself, for example. Once, I started a partnership with another marketer, and our goal was to get as many local service clients as possible within a short period of time. More paying clients = More money.

It was a terrible decision. It was stressful, and out of alignment with what I envisioned for myself. But I thought, hey, this is only temporary; it’s a necessary step I need to take. Focus on the money, and everything else will eventually fall into place.

So, what was the problem?

Money, as the primary reason for doing, makes you short-sighted and disconnected from the reasons (and people) you are likely doing it for in the first place.

Awaken Your Income.

The feeling of wanting and needing money can be so strong that you think nothing else matters. While this is undeniable, that feeling is the main culprit that has left many people stuck and failing to make money.

When you’re in this state of mind you’re no longer makings decisions for yourself, but instead hoping and wishing that whatever it is you’re doing simply “pays-off”.

It’s like walking up a mountain blindfolded, hoping you somehow get to the top.

What’s In A Why

No one said it’d be easy, but it doesn’t mean you should go through pain and suffering to reach your goals.

It takes energy, effort and focus to become a success of your own making and create a lifestyle of freedom and choice.

Yes, it does take guts as well to step away from what everyone else is doing and thinks you should be doing… but instead doing differently because you want more for yourself.

This is where YOUR WHY becomes your support, guide and emotional energy bank that keeps you going in challenging times.

And there will be challenges!

Challenges come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes expected, others not so much. Consider them a test on your ongoing commitment to what it is you want.

So, what makes a compelling WHY?

Your Why = Your Deep-Rooted Reason + Your Attitude

It’s the quintessential part of success. Look-up any self-made millionaire and you’ll find they had (and still have) a why.

Reason-Attitude Combination

We all have something we want, as well as the reasons for it. And it’s no surprise that’s where your why begins – your wants and desires.

The deep-rooted reason in a why is a combination of:

• Your core values and beliefs.
• A clear understanding of what drives you to take action.
• Who you are doing it for.

If your reason why is about somebody else, you’ll be amazed at the power that will give you to pull you through any type of adversity.

So what does attitude have to do with this? Let’s have a look.

The Attitude Difference

What is attitude and what role does it play? Here’s an excerpt definition from Wikipedia:

• A psychological construct.
• A mental and emotional entity that inheres in, or characterizes a person.
• They are complex and are an acquired state through experiences.
• It is an individual’s predisposed state of mind regarding a value.
• It is precipitated through a responsive expression towards oneself, a person, place, thing, or event which in turn influences the individual’s thought and action.

If we pay closer attention to the last sentence, you can summarise your attitude as your thoughts and actions.

Let’s take 2 people (Ben and Joe) as an example and find the distinction between having a deep-rooted why and the attitude.

Can you identify the attitude difference?

If both Ben and Joe have the same reason to start an online business, and they’ve both had a past failed experience, their attitudes (not hesitating to try again, seeking help and advice, and taking action) become their success determinant.

“I’ve always had the view that how successful you are is really a function of how you deal with failure. If you deal with failure well and you persist, you have a high probability of being successful.”

Investor Bill Ackman on the link between success and failure.

What You Do Matters

So, your why is important… foundational to your success.

But then so what?

What you discover from connecting with your why is this: your potential.

“Potential” on its own is static; it doesn’t move. You can’t get from where you are now to where you want to be by doing nothing.

It takes WORK to realize potential. To think otherwise would be like saying Michael Jordan was born a great basketball player, and that it didn’t take work to realize his potential. 

His consistent and deliberate actions got him the results.

The 80/20 Bridge

The Pareto principle – largely known as the 80/20 rule – is an idea that is widespread and well-known, but also easy to ignore or forget, given its apparent simplicity:

Focus on the 20% of activities that will account for 80% of your results.

When building an online business, what you focus on is an important factor because, in a world where there are so many options, solutions, and promises for getting you results, it becomes increasingly difficult to not feel overwhelmed: lost, confused, frustrated, etc.

In fact, even when you transition from employee to business owner, what you focus on to get you results will be even more important to your success and growth.

There are 3 pillars to nailing what it is you should be doing:

1. Clarity of your goals, desires, and vision (this will led by your why).
2. Daily habits and actions that sharpen your competence in the key areas that move you closer to your goals.
3. Value of time.

The last point especially – time – should not be taken lightly, as it directly relates to how quickly you can get results.. the right results.

When you’re able to create results with speed, you gain more confidence in what you’re doing and more clarity on your actions (allowing you to adjust where necessary). And this creates a snowball effect that feeds into every area of your life.