Why?
Not 1.
Not 2.
Three letters, with a question mark, can truly drive your behavior.
The answer can be simple.
One word.
Body language.
The answer can be hard.
89 pages of a complex thesis.
His or her solution is missing data.
From grade school, my teacher would always make me analyse and respond to these questions for my book report:
Who? What? Where? When? How? And why?
Now that I look back...
...a book report can be ANY report...
...that gives you more information and clarity for yourself and the daily actions you’re doing.
Words are fixed.
But, the perception of value is adjustable.
Let me explain...
Kids and individuals you don’t know or dislike, can ask you, “Why?”
However, in the exact same scenario...
Parents, doctors, a coach/trainer, philosophers or someone you look up to…
...will ask you the same question and you would have a totally different mindset and feelings.
Inside, you know why you are doing what you are doing.
But on the outside it doesn’t show up.
I want to help you see.
View “why” as not an enemy.
But as a friend.
As a friend that’s driven and you wake up every morning with energy and motivation.
As a friend that holds your hand and glides you towards your purpose.
As a friend that’s positive when times are tough.
As a friend that will engineer your life to be grateful.
I’m certain that both my parents didn’t expect when they had my brother and I, in Kampala, Uganda, that we would think, practice and join a ice hockey team.
Why?
Life is a beautiful yet puzzling maze.
I can’t speak for everyone in the photo. Personally, at that time, my answer was simple.
Love.
(shrugging shoulders)
It just made sense.
In my mind it wasn’t to develop mastery or be the best in the world. I knew a lot of players (including my brother) who were hands down better and in a different class than me. I honestly loved watching, studying, training and playing the sport.
On a basic level, I understand why individuals run marathons, ride for cancer, work at a specific job and have a mentor/coach.
But, deep down inside, only the person truly knows “why” and focuses on doing what they are doing. Success and challenges will be thrown at you. I want to adopt what my teacher says:
Use your life as a book and report on it.
You will find clues and explain and illustrate what is going on in your head before you wake up.
Ask yourself these three questions, every single day:
Why do you exist?
Why do you love what you’re doing?
Why should anyone care about the work you’re doing?
Fact-check yourself and you will look back and agree that you have an “A+” for your life.
-Arthur