The value of thinking why

Here are just some of the benefits of asking why:

• It defines success

• It aligns resources

• It motivates

• It clarifies focus

• It expands options

Let's take a closer look at each of these in turn.

1. It defines success

People are starved for wins these days. We love to play games, and we like to win or at least be in a position where we could win.

And if you're not clear about the purpose of what you're doing, you have no chance of winning. Purpose defines success. It's the initial reference point for any investment of time and energy.

2. It aligns resources

Whether you are a team leader or a business owner, it is essential to align your resources to achieve your goals. If you know why do you need to align your resources, it becomes so handy to align.

Resources could be of multiple types like your team members, funds, etc.

3. It motivates

If there's no good reason to be doing something, it's not worth doing. I'm often stunned by how many people have forgotten why they're doing what they're doing--and by how quickly a simple question like, "Why are you doing that?" can get them back on track.

If you are not sure why you're doing something, you can never do enough.

4. It clarifies focus

When you land on the real purpose for anything you're doing, it makes things clearer. Just taking two minutes and writing out your primary reason for doing something invariably creates an increased sharpness of vision, much like bringing a telescope into focus.

5. It expands options

Paradoxically, even as purpose brings things into pinpoint focus, it opens up creative thinking about broader possibilities. When you know the underlying why--for the conference, for the staff party, for your vacation, or the merger--it expands your thinking about how to make the desired result happen.

Is your purpose clear and specific enough? If you're truly experiencing the benefits of a purpose focus--motivation, clarity, decision-making criteria, alignment, and creativity--then your purpose probably is specific enough.

But many purpose statements are too vague to produce such results. "To have a good team," for example, might be too broad or ambiguous a goal. After all, what composes a "good team"? Is it a highly motivated group, collaborating in healthy ways, and taking the initiative? Or is it a team that comes under budget?