“Life’s a marathon, not a sprint.” -Philip C. Mcgraw

In order to obtain really any goal one sets for themselves, to defeat any obstacle one may face in terms of who they are or where they wish to be. They first need to find their why and understand who they are.

Understanding who you are, or what precisely it is that you wish to obtain, do, or become in the world -in your own world, and in society as a whole- will be the stepping-stones to finding and reaching those goals.

It will bring you a better sense of perception, and a better clarity upon who you are, and where you want to go. It will also allow you to take the correct approaches and initiatives to making things fall precisely into place exactly as you intend for them to.

“Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want. -Ken Poirot

What makes you tick? This can be a hard question for many to answer. Some may have a clear awareness to it, others may not. Whatever side you are on, it persists. If you sit down with yourself, a friend, or a colleague and they ask you, what do you like to do? Do you have an answer?

Most likely yes. This question seems simple. You are your own person, so you most likely have some idea or awareness of what you thoroughly enjoy or not.

Now, what if someone asks, “What do you want to do with your life, what are your dreams or aspirations?” Would your answer still be the same, or would you freeze up and simply not have a direct or clear awareness?

Sometimes the answer is simple. You wish to be a doctor, a teacher, a business owner. Other times, you may come up blank. For the longest time, I wanted to be a writer, I still have that in the back of my mind and still wish to pursue it, this is my first step.

But prior to then, I thought I wanted to model. I did it for a little bit then life happened and that shifted entirely. Sometimes our dreams or aspirations change but that is OK. If this happened to you or is happening to you currently, don’t panic. There is still light.

Sometimes our awareness to precisely who we are or what it is we wish to do, is somewhere hidden in the abyss of our subconscious. But, it is there.

Ask yourself this the next time you are questioning things. “How have I chosen to approach the situation at hand?”

Have you chosen to hang your head and walk away from all that you truly are, all that you wish to be? Or, is there still this burning flame lying deep below, one that is clinging to those passions, those dreams and are causing you to re-think, reflect and telling you to find a way to bring it back to the surface?

https://ulife.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/blog/2017/05/

Understanding your Why, the passions that make you ignite, and who precisely you wish to become is not something that should be challenging. It’s actually that first step to really obtaining and getting to wherever it is you wish to be. It’s a steppingstone, and if your seeking guidance you’ve come to the right place.

So, how then do you obtain your “why” if you may not have a clear insight to it anymore, or overall? Well for starters, ask yourself this.

1. “What is it that I enjoy doing?”

This question seems simple and straight forward, but it’s important. Knowing who you are, what makes you tick and the interests you possess. Is key to laying out the foundation to your “deeper purpose or meaning” if you will.

Maybe you enjoy writing, maybe you are found of art. It could even be something else like; dance, theater, music, or science. What hobbies or deep passions do you hold within?

Start there.

Knowing what you like and knowing what makes you- you -the spark that ignites these passions within- is a gateway to really understanding and knowing what your why is. By knowing this, it helps you find the how you need, to get to where you wish to go from here.

When you have a clear obligation to the interests you hold, you then give yourself a leg up with obtaining the answers you seek. By having this, you allow for self-reflection and a clearer sense of who you are within.

The next step in the process is to;

2. Find your angle

This may seem obvious, but sometimes it really isn’t. What really defines who you are? What angle do you potentially have that other people may not? What is something that you really flourish & excel within?

For example, I am a single mom. That in itself is an angle. Although not your typical angle, it’s mine. Whilst this is just my reality, but it could also be a method of approach. An angle to bring forth a new perspective to those who do not have the experience. Or, it could be one that presents opportunities for parents, or others alike.

When you ask yourself this, what is my angle? What answers come up?

Maybe you are a really amazing musician, who can compose and create lyrics and music just by hearing it in your head. Maybe you possess a lot of knowledge on say physics, or science. It could be that you have an eye for invention or maybe even created or compiled your own one’s throughout time. What angle (talents/tools) do you already possess, that could give you a leg up?

Knowing what YOUR angle is. Will provide you with a new opportunity in the department you seek. It will be that guiding light to really finding your why and pursuing it as it is.

Next;

3. Self-Awareness-Connection

How in tune with yourself, your feelings, and your surroundings are you really? Do you coast through life without a care in the world? Can you sense a break down before it happens?

Self-awareness, and self-attunement although may sound silly, is another key factor to really unwrapping that awareness and mystery to who you wish to become. Look at it this way, most of the time when great ideas spark, new perspectives come forth, and positive emotions flow- It is typically when you are doing something that is “in alignment” with your inner-being.

Great founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders always say, their best ideas came to them when all was still and quiet within themselves and the world around them.

When you meditate for example, you place yourself in a present and clear mentality. You put yourself within some sort of a “vortex” which then connects you to who you are within. You step away from the chaos of the world outside of you and allow yourself to then turn within. This then sparks creativity, new ideas, a fresh slate, and brings forth a sense of peace with yourself, and all around you.

Really having a connection with who you are beyond the physical externalities, opens a gateway to seeing and experiencing life in an entirely new manner. It gives you a chance to really dissect who you are, who you want to be, and how precisely you can get there. It gives you a clear insight to the “why” you are seeking.

4. Gain knowledge

One can does not obtain wonder, if they lack the resources and tools to get there. In order to become the world’s greatest inventor, or the best musician in your town, you first have to have the proper tools to get you to that point.

If you lack knowledge in terms of science, and physics, your ability to create the world’s next cure, will fall short. The ideas exist, but until you have the proper knowledge, the proper framework and the correct tools. Those ideas will not amount to much.

Therefore, obtaining the correct knowledge, and tools from resources outside of you, can bring forth a brighter sense of awareness to the answers you seek.

Follow those you admire- take note from them. Follow the people that inspire you on social media platforms, push yourself to attending social events that have people who share similar interests as you do. Read books from authors who had the same intentions that you do, or same interests as you, and take note. Really absorb what they have to share and use it to your advantage.

Expanding upon the current knowledge you already have, is one of the biggest factors to really giving you a chance to understanding your why, pursuing it, and becoming more.

And lastly

5. Lead by doing

There is so much we can tell ourselves we are going to do, and yet we fall short when it comes to actually doing.

We can take the time to create, plot, plan and dream, but until we act upon it, nothing will come forth from it. All that time spent, will have been wasted. Leading by doing, is a great way to bring yourself back into your vortex, and align you precisely with the dreams and goals you are wishing to pursue.

When you put yourself out there, market, advertise, learn, grow, and promote yourself in a manner that aligns with whatever it is you wish to do or whatever the interests that you currently have are. It presents you with opportunities you didn’t know existed prior.

Knowing where you are at now, and how you can take steps and initiative to “do”, only to of course actually do it, will provide you with the proper tools and knowledge that can get you to wherever it is you are trying to be. It can bring forth awareness and knowledge you didn’t have prior.

Lead by doing.

Be the example you are seeking out. Look up to others who are in that same line of action and take note. Learn, and lead. Take the initiative to be forward thinking, and forward moving. You can not get far by standing in place.

Be the person you want to be, bring forth the change you want to change, and see yourself in the light that you wish to be in. Envision yourself doing all that it is you are hoping to do and take initiative to getting there.

Nothing happens overnight. Understanding who you are, putting yourself out there when you still are uncertain of where you wish to go, and providing yourself with the proper tools that allow you to gain more than you ever knew you could possible. Will bring forth results, awareness, and all you wish to obtain much faster than you knew possible.

Life is a journey and a marathon, not a sprint.

Take baby steps and believe in that passion that drives you.

Find your why. Get to know who you are. Align yourself with the values you possess and build a foundation for your continued success. Nobody can hold you back but you.