What’s Your WHY?
“Words may inspire you but only action creates change. Most of us live our lives by accident–we live life as it happens. Fulfillment comes when we live our lives on purpose.”
–Simon Sinek
What’s your WHY?
Sometimes we don’t realize just how far we’ve come. But, if we take a moment to look back–if we can look behind us at all our successes, challenges and failures–we are reminded of just how far we can go. We just need to remember WHY.
This past Sunday marked the 100th class I’ve taught at Weston Fitness. For me this is an important milestone as the 100th class I taught at Weston was intenSati. Even more than the number of classes, was the realization of something far greater: I’ve come a long way.
I’ve been in the business of teaching for well over 7 years and I’ve been teaching fitness class for the last two. IntenSati was the very first class I started teaching at Athleta two years ago. Since those humble, grassroots beginnings, I’ve taught many other places and have acquired other niche certifications. 100 classes is an important milestone to celebrate, but for me it was also the reminder to celebrate fulfillment because fulfillment comes from living our life on purpose. And that’s exactly what I’m doing and WHY I’m doing it.
It’s easy to lose sight of how far we’ve come or to sell ourselves short on our accomplishments. For me, it’d be easy to shrug off 100 classes saying, “If I was better I would have taught more.” It would be easy to compare my attendance to teachers who have been in this business longer than I have and let that justify my limiting beliefs. The bottom line is that it’s easy for all of us to have a vision and go at it full force before screeching to a halt and resuming old habits. Words may inspire us to change, but only action creates change. A WHY is the oxygen that keeps the fire burning.
Everyone has a WHY. It’s what gets us up in the morning with excitement. It’s what keeps us going through the day. It’s what leaves us with fulfillment week after week. It’s the reason we do what we do.
Do you know your WHY?
Your WHY is part of your personal story. It’s why you do what you do. It’s your cause, manifesto, purpose, belief. The oxygen that keeps your fire burning. But do you know your WHY?
I’m asking you to think about your WHY now as we’re midsummer. That’s half way through the year, six months from when you intentionally set goals or resolutions. Think of it as a new-New Year’s.
Where are you now?
Checking in with yourself mid-year isn’t meant to generate a list of shoulds or make you carry around guilt. Checking in with yourself enables you to live from an empowered place of choice. It’s a bit like savasana: it gives you the opportunity to go inside, breathe, ask WHY and then take action. Maybe the goals you set were too big. Maybe your vision has shifted. Maybe you’ve fallen off the wagon but in making those mistakes you know exactly what you need to do now. And that’s ok. Check in. Ask WHY. And then take action. Action creates change and a strong why keeps the ball rolling.
As I reflect on 100 classes at Weston Fitness, as I look back at how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown, I am reminded of my WHY: to inspire change by living my purpose. I knew from the moment I first held class for my teddy bear that I wanted to teach, that there was excitement I wanted to share with whomever would listen. I love inspiring others and every time I help someone take action–be it their first step or their 100th–it’s the oxygen that fuels my fire.
So, what’s your WHY? And, what small action will you take this week for your vision?
Whatever you are walking towards, however far you still think you have to go, just for this moment, take a look over your shoulder and smile at every step you’ve taken along the way. Celebrate where you are right NOW and start where you are right NOW. Check in. Ask WHY. And then take action. Action creates change and a strong why keeps the ball rolling.
xo