Have your ever known someone who, on the surface, had a stellar career trajectory yet felt unfulfilled and empty?
Or maybe you’ve encountered someone who seemed incredibly engaged in their career, no matter their role.
The difference lies in knowing an aspect essential to your happiness: your personal “Why” statement.
Your “Why” statement is rooted in your intrinsic motivation. According to Simon Sinek, who first popularized the concept in his 2014 Ted Talk and book, Start With Why, it’s “the compelling higher purpose that inspires us and acts as the source of all we do.”
It’s closely related to the concept of “ikigai,” the Japanese word meaning a “life purpose.” Ikigai refers to defining your personal meaning of life in relation to your talents, passions, and profession, as well as what you can give to the wider world.
To find your “Why” statement, reflect on your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and habits. Specifically, consider:
- Your values – What are your core beliefs?
- Your motivations – What excites you and compels you to tackle action?
- Your passions – What are you most curious about that consumes your mind?
- Your strengths – What are your natural talents, abilities, and skill sets?
- Your career path – What common threads exist among your roles and environments where you felt most fulfilled and productive?
Your “Why” acts as a personal mission statement and includes your priorities and why you do what you do. It’s your higher calling and helps you prioritize how you spend your time and energy on what matters most. And most importantly, it gives meaning to the work you do.
Here are three reasons why finding your “Why” is the key to career happiness:
1. It gets you unstuck.
If you’re feeling stuck in your career, likely, you’re not fully embracing your why statement. You’ll feel unmotivated, frustrated, and stagnant because you’re not tapping into the work that gives you meaning. When this happens, reflecting on your “Why” statement can be the catalyst to see and take action on the changes needed to get you back on track.
2. It keeps you focused on what matters most.
It’s easy to be swayed by the promise of a larger paycheck, stock options, or fancy title, but ultimately those come with a cost if they fall outside your ikigai. Finding your higher purpose reminds you to stay focused on what matters most and only pursue roles supporting your goals and, therefore, your long-term happiness.
3. It helps you evaluate opportunities.
When you evaluate opportunities through the lens of your overarching theme, you’ll easily be able to tell if they align with your intrinsic motivation. If they do, you’ll know you should definitely pursue them. If they don’t, it’s probably better to pass on them.
This exercise is also helpful when reflecting on past roles to connect the dots on why something was a great fit (or not), reinforcing your understanding of your “Why.”
Remember, it’s hard to be happy when you feel disconnected in your career. Ultimately, career happiness comes from aligning your work with a compelling higher purpose.
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