For a long time, I didn’t think much about the ‘why’ behind what I did. I followed expectations, pursued what seemed practical, and didn’t stop to ask myself what truly mattered. It wasn’t until I faced choices that demanded deeper consideration that I realized the importance of alignment. These were decisions that impacted my happiness, career, and well-being. We all know the feeling when things just work. There’s clarity, flow, and purpose. And we also know when they don’t. Something feels off, and frustration builds when work feels draining instead of fulfilling. The hard part is listening to that gut feeling and acting on it. I believe finding your ‘why’ is the first step that will help the others unravel. A rational companion to your gut feeling.
The Cost of Ignoring Misalignment
There are many reasons we choose to ignore misalignment:
🔸 Avoiding difficult conversations
🔸 Fear of change or uncertainty
🔸 Not wanting to disappoint others
🔸 Convincing ourselves that “it’s fine”
We’ve all experienced them, or at least some. Over time, brushing aside that inner voice took its toll. I stopped addressing issues as quickly as I used to. I tried to keep the peace. But eventually, things catch up with you. They certainly did for me.
I reached a point where I needed clarity. I had to ask myself: Why am I doing this? If my only answer was “for the money,” then I knew I’d remain stuck in work that made me anxious and unfulfilled. But if I could define a deeper reason, a guiding principle, then I could build something better.
Finding Your ‘Why’
I knew the values that mattered to me most: freedom, flexibility, honesty, and integrity. Even without a structured process, these principles shaped my transition into independent work. As I gained experience, I realized that defining my why wasn’t just about personal growth, it was essential for aligning with the right people and projects.
Then, I had an opportunity to do this in a structured way. The team I was working with wanted to define their company why, and I went through the process myself, in parallel.
I used Simon Sinek’s framework from Find Your Why, which involves reflecting on meaningful life moments, identifying common themes, and crafting a purpose statement. The process was down to earth and sincere. It was about uncovering something real and meaningful.
I worked with a friend to help me identify patterns in my experiences. Their role wasn’t to give me the answer but to listen, ask questions, and reflect back what they heard. This step was crucial because it helped me see connections I hadn’t noticed before.
My ‘Why’ Statement
After multiple drafts, I landed on this one:
“To create an environment of trust and fairness, where others feel valued and empowered, enabling growth through honest communication and mutual respect.”
It might seem like a mouthful, but it’s accurate. Every part of this statement reflects what I value and what I aim to bring to my work. Now, it serves as a guide. If a project, client, or work environment doesn’t align with this, I know it’s time to reassess.
The Power of Shared Alignment
One of the most rewarding experiences was seeing how my ‘why’ was closely aligned with the final one determined by the team. Their final statement?
“To champion honesty, trust, and competence, so that everyone can form effective partnerships that drive meaningful growth.”
It wasn’t an exact match of course. Still, the core values resonated. When you align with people and businesses who share your principles, work isn’t just work. It becomes meaningful.
Final Thoughts
Defining your why isn’t just a personal exercise. It’s a tool for creating better partnerships and making intentional choices. It helps you attract the right opportunities and confidently walk away from the wrong ones.
If you’ve never gone through this exercise, I highly recommend it. And if you’re already clear on your why, take it one step further: are you working with people and businesses whose values align with yours?
I’d love to hear your thoughts — have you ever gone through this process? Did it change anything for you?