I always encourage our clients to examine the real reasons they want to reach their goals.
In 1903 the Wright brothers were the first to ever take flight at a field in Kitty Hawk, NC. The Wright brothers were not very educated (nor were the folks on their team). They didn’t have a lot of money. In fact, they used money they earned at their bicycle shop to fund their mission.
What a lot of people don’t know was that a few hundered miles away was a scientist and inventor named Langley. Langley was similar to the Wright brothers in that he wanted to be the first to fly but he was very different in that he had a lot of funding, was well connected and was extremely educated. Unfortunately for Langley, he didn’t achieve his goal.
What was the difference between The Wright Bros and Langley?
Langley was more educated and had much more money than the Wright brothers. Why wasn’t he the first to fly then? Simon Sinek, in his business book Start With Why says it’s because the Wright brothers had more of a reason WHY. They wanted to change the world and help people. Langley just wanted fame and recognition.
What’s Your Why?
I encourage you to think about your Why. What’s your real reason. You want to look good for summer. But why? You want to get noticed more. But why? Keeping asking yourself why until it doesn’t make sense anymore. For example…
- I want to get in shape
- Why?
- Because I need to lose fat
- Why?
- To be healthier
- Why?
- To live longer
- Why?
- To be around for my kids