How or Why? | The Probabilist . com

How or Why? December 2, 2006

Posted by The Probabilist in : [Articles], Consciousness, Emotions, Goals, Personal Growth, Purpose, Beliefs, Responsibility , trackback

What’s more important to you when you intend to push an area of your life into a new level? Is it the how or the why? In my opinion both are important, but the why is the more fundamental driving force that has the strength to lead you to a higher state of awareness and fulfillment. Without a reason, there just isn’t enough desire and determination to both learn and execute what needs to be done.

This exercise for your mind is slightly similar to the Be - Do - Have process of setting and achieving goals I wrote about earlier. So this mental tool of asking the right questions will help you even further on whatever goal you are pursuing.

Again, picturing some examples like getting in shape, getting rich, learning a new ability, taking on a good habit or abandoning a bad habit, try to throw the how-to out the window for a moment and focus your mind strictly on the why you want to make this change in your life. Really take some time off and dig into a deeper meaning and impact this change would have in your life. Maybe it’s an emotional burden you feel inside you or that you can sense that others feel because of this trap you’ve found yourself in. This could be shame, guilt, grief, fear, anger or pride for instance. Perhaps it’s an addiction you feel powerless to overcome. Or maybe you’re repeating a family pattern that you can’t stand any longer. Just identify and face whatever is bothering you and find your why.

Visualize for yourself what it would be like with this change fully integrated into your life. Who do you have to be to take on this change and why is it that it’s so important to you? If you can’t find an answer to these questions, then the how and the what to do will be overwhelmingly difficult. But, with the most accurate and powerful why you can find within yourself, it will no longer matter as much how you make that change. You’ll just do it out of ridding your world from the disgust for where you were lingering previously. This mindset also works if you’re simply just bored with your life and being average while others seem to be advancing with joy and ease.

So even though it’s an unpleasant task to dig into your weaknesses and drawing them out for your personal evaluation, there’s nobody else who can do it for you - and the very least if you’re in denial. If you’re just stuck in the level of neutrality and indifference to improving yourself, then try to find an answer why you’re procrastinating. Whatever you’ve noticed that needs to change with your life, seek first the whys. Then the how-tos become easier.