What is Your Why?

Someone asked me once, “how do you keep going when times are hard?”

I responded, “have a why that is bigger than your excuses.”

This is the premise behind today’s blog.

We’ve all been there—faced with challenges that make us question why we’re pushing so hard, why we keep striving, and whether it’s all worth it. That’s when the power of your "why" comes into play. Your why is your foundation, the core reason behind everything you do. It gets you up in the morning, keeps you focused, and helps you push through the tough times when giving up seems easier. Believe me when I say I STILL struggle with all of these things. I doubt myself a lot. This causes me to habitually go into what I call “self-sabotage mode.” But if our why isn’t bigger than our excuses, losing sight of our purposes will not be easy to do when life gets complicated. We can have moments when we don’t feel like doing anything, but learning how to shift these moments because we are on a mission helps us reach the goal. Faith without works is dead! Wishing and doing are entirely different things. If we aren’t on a mission, we will give up before reaching the goal! Please keep reading to learn steps to begin developing a path that will lead us all to fulfilling a bigger mission.

How do we create a why that’s bigger than our excuses? It starts by connecting deeply with what matters most to you. Your why has to come from within—it has to resonate with who you are at your core. For me, my why was initially rooted in my daughter, Jasmine. She was my driving force, my motivation to keep pushing forward, even when everything felt like it was falling apart. Over time, I realized my why had to evolve; it couldn’t just be about someone else. I had to become my own why. I had to see my personal growth and purpose as valuable for her and me.

When your why is deeply personal, it drives you in ways external motivations never can. It becomes the anchor that keeps you grounded when life throws you challenges, disappointments, or setbacks. But here’s the truth: there will be times when even the strongest why feels distant. That’s when the importance of patience comes in. Patience is not just waiting for something good to happen—it’s about trusting the process and continuing to work, even when results seem far away. As I discuss in *Reclaim Your Life*, true growth happens when we push through, even when everything inside us wants to stop.

We live in a world that glorifies instant gratification. But fulfillment—the kind that changes you from the inside out—takes time. Patience bridges where you are now and where you want to be. And patience, when combined with faith, is unstoppable. Faith reminds us that we are still moving forward even when we don’t see the full picture. It teaches us to trust in something bigger than ourselves. For me, faith in God has been the ultimate source of strength. When I couldn’t see the path ahead, faith guided me, reminding me that I wasn’t walking alone.

In moments of doubt, when everything seems like it’s not going according to plan, faith gives you the resilience to keep going. It’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t happen as quickly as we’d like, but faith allows you to lean into patience and trust the journey. Without faith and patience, your why can become fragile. But when these two components are deeply rooted in your life, they help you stay grounded, allowing you to focus on your why even in the most challenging times.

Research shows that people passionate about their work are more likely to overcome adversity. Studies on motivation emphasize how purpose-driven individuals are less likely to burn out and more likely to maintain focus during difficult times. Having a powerful why—whether it’s rooted in personal growth, family, or faith—can keep you going when others would quit.

Ask yourself—what is your why? Is it strong enough to hold you when things get tough? If not, take time to re-evaluate and reconnect with your core purpose. Develop a why that’s bigger than your excuses, and remember to cultivate patience and faith along the way. These are the vital components to achieving success and finding true fulfillment in life. Stay grounded, stay focused, and keep moving forward—because your why is more significant than any challenge that stands in your way.

References:

1. Reclaim Your Life by Jodi Watkins, available on Amazon and other major platforms.

2. Vallerand, R. J. (2012). The Role of Passion in Sustainable Psychological Well-Being. *Psychology Today*.

3. Grant, A. M. (2013). Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success.