What is Why?
In this current climate of wondering why people are acting the way they are, there are lots of question that might start with why. Why did she speak like that? Why would he have done that?
Why often flummoxes us when we consider others and actions.
The definition of why as a noun is “a reason or an explanation” and as an adverb “for what reason and or purpose”. But Why is more than that. Why is more than asking questions? Why is about finding your purpose - What is your purpose? Why are you doing what you are doing?
Let’s explore your Why
Have you considered the values that guide you? Those values that are fundamental to you, your life.
Your values are the things that you believe are important in the way you live and work. They determine your priorities.
This sometimes takes a bit of sorting but establishing your values is the base block of your Why. Be encouraged and reflective and uncover your values. You may be able to start seeing your What is being built as you think through your values. If you understand your values you can see that they guide us in our decisions and our undertakings, therefore, they are the fundamental block of what drives us. Our purpose.
Our Values and the link to our Why
After spending time considering and establishing your core values can you imagine having to operate against your values? It is hard to imagine.
Values drive our thinking, our responses, our behaviour, our actions. When we observe others around us we can occasionally see their values displayed. Generosity, greed, consideration... we see them on our trains, our roads, in our workplaces, all around us. Our values are on public display, we know this and we display our values.
Connecting Values to Purpose.
Now let’s stretch your thinking about your values and your Why and connect them.
It is important to build the link between your values and your Why.
Your values are the things that you believe are important in the way you live and work. They determine your priorities. Therefore, through knowing your values, you have a clear understanding of what is important to you. You can then directly link this to your purpose.
If your Why is doing something you see is of value to you (and potentially, hopefully to others); if your Why, your purpose, is about working on something that is important to you; then the link between your values and your Why is strong and should be considered and inseparable. Know your values and understand that they are one of the building blocks to exploring your purpose.
The Illustration – Values and Why the important tension
To finish, we once heard an acquaintance talking about the workplace and personal values and the importance of working in a place that had similar values.
The personal story was confronting to hear. The tension in the story was clear. There were the espoused values of the organisation, however, the actual values were displayed through accepted behaviour and this created a disconnection with a disappointed employee. Things had to change because the organisational values were not being lived and this prevented the employee from working with purpose. There was no connection. The employee considered that his purpose was not connected to the work of the organisation. The tension was too great and something had to change.
If you would like to explore your why with Affectus then head here for more information.
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