If I’m being totally honest with you, I hadn’t heard about Why-power before my research days during my M.Phil. My topic was on procrastination and it was during those days I learnt that will power is not enough what you also need is why power.
So, what is Why-Power?
In very simple words, why power is the reason you give yourself for doing something. It’s like the vision and mission statement only in very simple words. When you know why you want to do something, it sets the intention for that task or activity, making it easy to then use your will power.
I use the why power before I start anything. I use it and keep in mind every day when I write for my blog and my daily Instagram post. I also use it when I’m coaching someone.
For e.g., My “why” for Instagram and my blog is to be able to share content for free for those who want to read or update themselves on personal transformation. Most of the people who want to work on themselves are unable to join my coaching program due to the time or sometimes even money, this way I get to reach as many people as I can with this free content. I then use my will power everyday to come up with content that can be most beneficial. Having a Why power helps me stay focused and stick to my schedule. Which also makes my task that much easier. It doesn’t seem like work anymore.
Having a why can help in your will power too. It lays the foundation for any task you’re working on.
How to frame the Why Power?
Framing the Why power is pretty personal and there is no right or wrong. You can have as many why’s for the tasks you’re trying to achieve.
It could be to wake up on a particular time each day
To stick to a routine
To work out
To run errands
To eat right
To have some fun
Your why power will set the tone for what you want to achieve and keep reminding you to work on it each time you want to give up or feel unmotivated to do something. If you’re someone who procrastinates a lot or if you’re lazy it can help you to get going and move your body.
Why power requires some conscious effort and that’s where will power works the best. Just so you don’t tend to lose interest or your patience or your focus try to write your why, the reason you started whatever you want to achieve onto sticky notes and place them anywhere you can see them.
For e.g., If you want to eat healthy, place the sticky note on your fridge or on the mirror if you want to work out each day.
When you write your why instead of what you need to do, it automatically boosts your energy and leaves you feeling energized. Especially on days when you feel like everything’s lost and you just want to crawl under a rug and never see the sun again.
Most clients I’ve worked with are in the creative field, they’re entrepreneurs, artists, writers, and most of the times they go through extreme existential crisis or blocks that prevent them from moving ahead. Having a why helps them recharge and refocus on what they’re expected to do rather than something they just don’t feel like doing. This has helped them achieve their goals easier and made them have fun along the way.
There is no one way to say which one is the most effective, both why power and will power are extremely necessary to get kick started and keep going to achieve what you want to achieve.
I hope this helps you stay more focused and motivates you to achieve your goals. Whatever they maybe.
Share your Why with me if you want some extra motivation your way. Send me an e-mail and I’ll be happy to send you my feedback on the same.
Love,
Nikita