I recently read a post by a tribe member friend of mine, Mr. Paul Miller. The post was essentially asking How big You “why” was. Which you will undoubtedly run into if you study personal development for any length of time. It is a very important part of becoming a high-producing, high-achieving individual.
His post, which you can find here, got me thinking about myself and my individual list of “why’s” which I had created over the years. I have to say that even though I agree with Mr. Miller and I agree with the exercise and the thought process, I can’t really say that it ever really worked for me.
This had me a bit intrigued so I continued thinking about this as I went on my daily jog. (I use my jog to clear my head, get fit, think things through, etc.) So on this particular jog, I tried to get to the bottom of why I felt that the “why” exercise never really worked for me. It wasn’t that I didn’t make my list, It wasn’t that I did not review it, it wasn’t even that I was not passionate about my “why”. I admit I was beginning to get very curious as to why I didn’t feel so great about my “why”.
After a few minutes of jogging and working this out in my head, I had an unrelated thought, or so I thought. (get it?)
I recently met Mr. Miller through a community of bloggers that support each other, we call it a “tribe”. In this community, we have a catch phrase that we use for being a person that likes to help people, share ideas and information, generally unselfish people that would like to see (and don’t mind helping) others succeed. The phrase is being a “go-giver”
This is when it hit me. I noticed that my list of “why’s” were generally about what I wanted to get out of my success. My list looked like a very expensive shopping list for me, my family and my friends and of course a good cause here and there. Still for some reason I never really got motivated by having all these “reasons” to achieve success maybe because everything on that list seemed to somewhat self-serving.
I thought a little bit more about the go-giver attitude and thought, “what if I change the direction of this list to be outward instead of inward?”
I thought about this for a while and began to get very excited about the idea. I had visions of helping people through my business, changing people’s lives based on my teachings, keeping families together, improving their place in society. So instead of thinking about what I wanted to get out of the situation, I started to think about what I could give to the world. How could I leave the world a better place than I found it? How am I able to improve the lives of others? What is my mission? My purpose?
I had it all backwards! I began working on my list of why’s before I really had a clear vision of a mission or a purpose.
This got me really excited and opened up a whole list of inspired thoughts of “How” I could achieve some of these great and selfless goals. I finally found a list that actually got me excited. A list of worthy goals that I could get behind on a regular basis. A list that made me happy to get up in the morning.
Keep in mind that I think the “why” exercise is still useful but I needed a purpose first and then I needed to get into my why. I think I was doing it backwards. I started working on my why without knowing what I wanted to do.
With getting this straightened out, I was able to come up with a really simple “how” which was inspired by both my “purpose” and my “why”.
I now have a much better understanding of what I want to do, why I want to do it and how to do it. Feels like a recipe for success to me.
If you like the point that I am trying to make, please make it a point to share this information with your friends by sending it out to twitter, facebook or any form of communication you prefer.
To Your Success!
22. February 2010 at 11:38 PM
Great post Jose!
Sometimes the hardest part is connecting the dots. For some people it might work the way Mr. Miller has talked about. For you it seemed to come a little differently. In the long run it really doesn’t matter how you receive the message it’s that you DO receive the message.
Glad to hear you figured out the recipe. I look forward to the cookbook!
Don Enck´s last blog ..Are You A Go-Giver?
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Caraballo & Associates Reply:
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:45 AM
Thanks Don,
You are absolutely right. I know many many people that work off the WHY and it works fine. I was just a little different.
Cookbook soon to come!
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22. February 2010 at 11:42 PM
Wow, what a powerful mindset shift that is!
They often say that you can begin your journey with self-focused why’s… but that there comes a time that there really is enough money. You have to dig much deeper, and as you pointed out, more outward, before you will find a cause, a purpose, a mission that will carry you further.
An inward why is like a light breeze, its great to help you get going, but it is not the full gale that will allow you to move mountains. Thanks for this powerful reminder!
Kimberly Castleberry´s last blog ..Mike Dillard’s MLM Traffic Formula 2.0 – Warrior’s Challenge!
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Caraballo & Associates Reply:
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:43 AM
Kim,
Thanks for the support. I guess you have to go with what works for you as an individual. There is no right or wrong way, It’s either appropriate for you or it’s not! It was not for me so I found another way. Isn’t that what life is all about after all?
Thanks for sharing
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23. February 2010 at 4:33 AM
Powerful change in perspective, Jose! This concept alone can change the world!
Teresa´s last blog ..Nurturing Your Sixth Senses
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Caraballo & Associates Reply:
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:40 AM
Thanks Teresa,
It definitely has changed MY life. If it more people agree with you then let me know so I can take credit for changing the world. I am glad you liked it.
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23. February 2010 at 2:34 PM
Jose,
Such a great take on finding your why. It’s so awesome when it all clicks together into a passion for giving. You, my friend are very much a Go-Giver. Thanks for sharing this perspective,
Val
Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Are You on a Rhinoceros Path in Life?
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23. February 2010 at 4:39 PM
Fine piece of posting. You’ll so glad that you discovered your purpose while youth is still within you. I spent 6 decades before I discovered what you are experiencing. Have a great ride my friend.
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Caraballo & Associates Reply:
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:44 PM
I don’t know if I am completely there but I am definitely a lot closer. Hey, It’s NEVER too late Nelson. May people never find their purpose and most of them is because they get tired of looking. Obviously, you did not stop and here you are!
I think that is great.
Thanks for the visit!
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23. February 2010 at 6:03 PM
Jose,
I think this has b een my pro9blem all along as well. My why has never seemed to really motivate towards success! So I am gonna give this a try! I have a sneaking suspicion that I will reveal a much deeper and bigger reason why when I find out what my Purp0ose is! Thanks for sharing this!
Live a Juicy Life,
Susan
Susan Davis´s last blog ..Change is Good. You Go First!
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23. February 2010 at 8:11 PM
Jose ~ way to go on taking it to the next level! I just want to add that for me, the “why” that I have my team get to is always a burning desire bigger than themselves. It cannot be about just them, the money, etc….those are wants and desires. I think this is a common misunderstanding….it is only when your why IS your purpose that nothing can stop you. I’m a huge advocate of the book The Passion Test by Janet & Chris Attwood…..in my opinion it is life changing!
So if you’re up for sharing, I’d love to hear the purpose that has you so newly inspired! Watch out world!
Beth Allen´s last blog ..The Power of Perseverance
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Beth Allen Reply:
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:15 PM
PS ~ After re-reading my comment I feel it might be unclear….I definitely got from your post your vision of keeping families together and improving their lives through your teachings….what I would love is to hear your powerful purpose as a statement….hope that clarification makes sense!
Beth Allen´s last blog ..The Power of Perseverance
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2. March 2010 at 6:49 PM
Jose!
Thank you for such insightful knowledge my friend! But we do all have to start somewhere..and it is with the purpose. Otherwise we don’t have a strong enough why! That is just how it is..at least for me and the people that I know. Thank you for the inspiration and message!
Eleni
Eleni Liapakis´s last blog ..Here’s the Secret!
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2. March 2010 at 10:40 PM
Jose.
Great meeting you and coming across your blog. I look forward to learning and growing with you in the blogosphere. You are right on point with this article. I love it, I am a big believer in getting you Why crystal clear as well as your purpose. Its so easy to forget your purpose when your running through the motions… so a nice reminder is better than cool. Thanks for the reminder sir.
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Caraballo & Associates Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 6:09 AM
It is a pleasure to have you hear and I hope to offer you more great reminders as time goes by.
Thanks for the visit
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9. March 2010 at 7:39 PM
Jose:
You dear man with your “Begin with Your Purpose” has SO touched my heart and brain!….especially my heart!
This has to be one of the most beautiful, from the heart, and pure messages that we could ever receive and I thank You for your indepth gold nugget that you have so transparently shared with us.
Blessings to you and Your Purpose!
Linda.
Dr Linda Douglas´s last blog ..WHAT IS YOUR STORY and HOW WILL IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
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Caraballo & Associates Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 2:08 PM
I am glad it impacted you. I was very inspired when I wrote this. It was a major moment in my life so I really appreciate that it touhed you the way it did.
Thanks for the visit.
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