Remembering Your "Why"

Leadership isn’t a straight line. It’s a winding path of late nights, self-doubt, small wins, setbacks, and the occasional thought of, “Why am I even doing this?”

And that’s exactly why you need to remember your why.

Your “why” is the reason you started—the purpose that lit the first spark. It’s the mission that made you take the risk, put yourself out there, and build something from nothing.

But when stress mounts and goals feel distant, that why can slip to the back of your mind. Instead, you're stuck in the weeds: invoices, metrics, competition, burnout.

That’s when you need your why the most—not when things are easy, but when you’re tempted to quit.

Finding my own "Why"

I went through this stuck feeling a few years ago. After writing my book, Mining for Gold, I was hit with 1000 different ideas, opportunities and questions on what I should do next. All those options resulted in a season of paralysis. I hated that.

A friend suggested I revisit my "why," and that made all the difference. I thought deeply about what led me into coaching and writing a book on that topic. I realized that my why revolved around two things:

• My own pain and struggles as a young leader, and
• A desire to help leaders (just like me) thrive in their personal lives, families and work life.

That process  led me to my "why," which is:

Helping kingdom leaders joyfully lead at their best.

Now, I revisit this "why" often so I stay focused, aligned, and disciplined in all the things I am doing. I love how clarity leads to momentum. Remembering my why keeps me clear-headed.

Here are a few more thoughts on remembering your why.

Why You Need to Reconnect With Your Why

When you reconnect with your purpose:

• Your decisions become clearer.
• Your resilience strengthens.
• Your motivation shifts from hustle to meaning.

It doesn’t make the journey easier—but it does make it worth it.

When You’re Most Likely to Forget

You’re most likely to lose sight of your why when:

• Growth slows down.
• You hit a wall or fail publicly.
• You’re comparing yourself to others.
• Your business or non-profit becomes about survival instead of service.

That’s when you need your why the most—not when things are easy, but when you’re tempted to quit.

Simple Ways to Remember Your Why

1. Revisit Your Origin Story

Go back to the moment you started. What problem did you want to solve? What fired you up back then? Write it down. Say it out loud.

2. Talk to the People You Serve

Whether it's a customer, client, or user—get a reminder of the impact you’re making. Nothing brings clarity like a real conversation.

3. Create a Visual Reminder

Put your why somewhere you’ll see it every day. A sticky note on your screen. A photo. A mission statement printed and framed. Make it visible.

4. Take a Break to Reflect, Not Escape

Sometimes the noise of running a business drowns out your purpose. Step away—not to avoid, but to reconnect. A walk. A journal session. A deep breath.

Your Why Can Evolve—But It Should Never Disappear

Your why isn’t set in stone. As you grow, it may shift. That’s okay. What matters is that it stays alive—real, relevant, and rooted in something bigger than yourself.

Final Thought:

When the grind gets heavy and you feel like you’ve lost your spark, stop chasing more—and go back to your why. It’s not behind you. It’s beneath you. It’s the foundation. And it’s still there.

You just have to remember it.