Finding the Why
The "Start With Why" philosophy popularized by author and speaker Simon Sinek is widely considered groundbreaking. Sinek argues that the key to success in any activity is to understand why you're doing what you're doing deeply. Whether speaking to a group of employees, a group of customers, or the general public, he thinks that knowing one's "why" is crucial to inspiring and energizing one's audience.
All human beings have an inherent desire to live lives that matter and have significance. Nothing could be further from the truth when considering the groups, organizations, and civilizations that we create. Communities, like individuals, can lose sight of their "why" if they don't regularly reflect on and renew their shared values and ideals.
Unfortunately, this is a regular occurrence in modern society, where the "what" and "how" are often prioritized over the "why." We lose sight of the big picture by focusing too intently on the details of the work at hand. A community without a sense of direction and purpose is the end outcome.
The advice in the book "Start with Why" can help us get started. The book claims that people and businesses who begin with their "why" are more likely to achieve long-term success. They are driven by a strong sense of mission, which informs everything from the goods they produce to the relationships they foster with their consumers and members. They know that keeping their "why" in mind while working will produce something of lasting value.
And so, how can we implement this idea in our community, which seems to have lost its way? The initial action is to take stock of the community's past, its founding beliefs, and the values that brought its members together. Can we find the spark that ignited this group? What problems did its pioneers want to solve, and what did they expect to gain from doing so? Returning to these beginnings, the community can rediscover its purpose and use it to inform its future actions.
Communicating with and getting feedback from our partners is also crucial. Ask them what they think the community's ultimate goals and mission are. When compared to the community's ideals, what do their own look like? The community's "why" should reflect its members' aspirations, which can be achieved through open discourse and widespread engagement.
Last, we must make a daily commitment to the community's "why." In other words, we must make deliberate decisions reflecting our shared values and help achieve the community's goals. It is being ready to give up things and take chances for the greater good. That means demanding of ourselves nothing less than absolute honesty and sincerity.
Join us in our mission to rediscover our why as a community. Let's work together to find the common values and beliefs that drive us forward, so we can make meaningful progress towards our goals. By focusing on the why, we can create a sense of purpose and direction that inspires us to take action and make a positive impact in the world. So let's come together, share our ideas, and collaborate to create a better future for us all. Are you ready to join us on this journey?
