We have been told that it’s important to ask “why,” and I agree.
Simon Sinek’s book “Start With Why” is amazing. He explains that organizations that can evolve past telling you “what” they do, to “why” they do it are able to resonate with an audience. People respond to your “why.” It’s your mission. It really can be powerful.
In addition, it’s important for entrepreneurs and sales pros to ask “why.” They need to know why people buy…or why they don’t. It’s important to know why someone else is not serving that market. Why will it work? Why won’t it? It really is important to ask “why.”
But we can take “why” too far.
While it’s important to know why things work (or don’t), I see people taking “why” into victimhood. They ask “Why me?” Or often we belabor why things are the way they are. If we are not careful, we can take “why” too far.
It’s time to ask a new question. “What Can I Do?”
Once you have a baseline of the way things are (and why they are that way), it’s time to move on. Either you are okay with the status quo, or you are not. Asking “why” again doesn’t help. The question now is “What can I do?” Are you willing to live with it? If not, what are you willing to do about it?
“What can I do about it” changes your perspective.
It takes you from a victim’s mentality and puts you in the driver’s seat. It’s not about what “they” can do. It’s about you. The thing about the subconscious mind is, once you pose a question to it, it keeps working. That’s why it’s important to ask the right question. Your brain will get to work giving you suggestions!
And while there might be problems you face that you can do nothing about, I doubt it. There is almost always something we can do…even if it’s small. But be careful! By asking this question you will start to see things you can take action on. Your brain might start showing you ways to help.
Then you will have a choice. Will you continue to sit back with the crowd and ask “why?” Or will you step outside of your comfort zone and pitch in to make a difference?
Kirby Hasseman is the CEO of Hasseman Marketing. Make sure you never miss an update. Get on this HMC VIP email list. Sign up to be an HMC VIP here.
