Why do you like yourself?
And why do you not?
Why do you do the job you do? Do you love it?
And why are you friends with the people you are friends with? Are you satisfied?
So many questions. And sometimes the answers are burried deep.
Just recently I read the book “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek. One of my friend's had recommended the book to me, and the book is a great read for anyone in business, leadership, or making important decisions.
The funny thing is that although we all make decisions every day which directly and indirectly affect us and our future, we often do not understand WHY we make the decisions we do.
The past, our future dreams, our present feelings along with manipulation, inspiration, fear, and bargaining all influence the decisions we make and many of these influences are rather subtle.
I was recently told a story about a doctor who went to McDonalds. He sat down next to a guy eating a cheeseburger and fries and asked him if he wanted to be healthy. The man stuffed another bite of cheeseburger in his mouth and said "Of course". The doctor asked him "Don't you know that McDonalds is unhealthy food?" The man said "Yes of course." The doctor replied "If you want to be healthy then why do you eat unhealthy food?" The man said, "because it tastes good." Likewise in our life, we often make unhealthy decisions because of an external motivator. We must choose in life what we truly want and learn to discipline ourselves in order to move towards that goal or destination.
Inspiration is one of the most positive motivators of decisions. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What are your goals or hopes for the future? And WHY? Why do you want to go there, or be that, or experience that? Why do you do the things you choose to do today? Why do you put on makeup or choose not to wear it? Why do you wear the clothes you do? Why do you feel the way you do at work?
I'm going to be very honest with you, there are many times at work when I wonder why I do the job I do.
As a nurse, I sacrifice so much energy, care, and sleep to serve the patients in the hospital. Is it worth the late nights, the decreased time for social life, the chaos, the complaints or cries of sick kids, the tears that I cry afterwards wondering if I did enough?
I don't know what your job is- or what the stressors- or sacrifices you have to make are, but I ask you "Is it worth it?" Is the job you are in worth the money or the benefits you are receiving?
And it all comes down to why? Why do you do the profession you do? For me the only thing that keeps me going at night is the thought that I am a nurse for Jesus. That I care for children who are sick with the love of God. That's the ONLY thing that gets me through the depression, the fatigue, the tears- that makes it worth it to me.
Some say that the journey to self discovery is the most important journey we will ever make. I believe the journey to God and our relationship with Him is the most important
Sinek, S. (2013). Start with why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action. London: Portfolio/Penguin.
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