“Nothing gives a person inner wholeness and peace like a distinct understanding of where they are going.”
— Thomas Oppong
Do you ever wonder why you get up every day?
Your “why” is your reason for being—the deeper purpose that gives meaning to your actions, decisions, and goals.
This guide will walk you step by step through discovering your why, using principles from Simon Sinek’s Find Your Why and the Japanese concept of ikigai (a reason for being).
Your why is not a job title, paycheck, or external achievement.
Your why is:
What gives your life meaning
What energizes you even when things are hard
What guides your decisions and priorities
When you know your why:
You gain clarity
You focus on what truly matters
You stop chasing goals that don’t fulfill you
Knowing your why:
Creates clarity and direction
Fuels passion and motivation
Helps you stay focused and avoid distractions
Improves resilience during setbacks
Supports long-term health, happiness, and integrity
People with a strong sense of purpose live with intention instead of drifting through life.
Ikigai means “a reason for being.”
It reflects what makes life worth getting up for each day.
As you move through the next steps, notice where these themes overlap:
What you love
What you’re good at
What helps others
What feels deeply meaningful to you
Ask yourself:
How do I naturally help others?
Where do people benefit from my presence, skills, or actions?
When do I feel useful, valuable, or impactful?
Purpose is often connected to contribution, not just self-fulfillment.
Write down specific examples—big or small.
Think about moments when:
You forget to check the clock
You feel energized instead of drained
The activity feels natural and absorbing
These moments of “flow” are strong indicators of your passions.
Ask:
What was I doing?
Who was I helping?
Why did it feel so engaging?
Look back before responsibility and expectations took over.
Ask:
What did I do purely for fun?
What activities did I repeat over and over?
What themes show up again and again?
Often, your childhood joys contain clues to your lifelong purpose.
Ask yourself:
What am I willing to try even if I fail?
What would I pursue regardless of other people’s opinions?
What have I kept coming back to despite embarrassment or setbacks?
Meaningful pursuits almost always involve vulnerability.
Pay attention to:
What do people ask me for?
What do they thank me for?
What problems do they trust me to help solve?
Your strengths may feel “normal” to you—but they are often part of your why.
Ask:
What would I stop doing immediately?
What would I focus on?
How would I want to be remembered?
This exercise strips away distractions and highlights what truly matters.
Ask:
What would I keep trying even after failure?
What am I willing to learn, struggle through, and improve at?
What feels worth the effort no matter the outcome?
Passion grows through action—not waiting.
Imagine you were asked to teach young people.
Ask:
What lessons do I believe deeply in?
What knowledge or perspective do I wish everyone had?
What would I want to change about the world?
Teaching reveals what you value most.
Ask:
What part of my work would I do for free?
What tasks feel easy because I enjoy them?
What drains me the least—or energizes me the most?
Your why doesn’t have to start as your job—but alignment matters.
Ask:
Why do people thank me?
Where do others find value in what I do?
What impact do I have that I may underestimate?
Your purpose often lives where appreciation meets contribution.
Ask:
If money didn’t matter, how would I spend my time?
What would I still choose to do?
What activities would fill my days?
What remains is a strong clue to your why.
Use journaling to explore questions like:
Who inspired me most in life—and why?
What am I most grateful for?
What fears or patterns keep repeating?
What does a perfect day look like?
What would I tell my younger self?
These answers help refine and clarify your purpose.
Combine what you’ve learned into one sentence:
“I exist to ______ so that ______.”
Example:
“I exist to empower others through knowledge so they feel confident and capable.”
“I exist to create meaningful connections that help people feel seen and supported.”
Your why should feel true, not impressive.
Your why:
Evolves as you grow
Gets clearer through action
Becomes stronger when lived daily
Revisit it regularly and let it guide your goals, decisions, and boundaries.
Finding your why isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about choosing to live intentionally.
Look within.
Trust the patterns.
Act on what matters.
Your purpose will point the way forward.