Finding Your Why: The Question That Changes Everything

linnearader
Oct 6
5 min read

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Last week I gave a keynote address to a room full of road superintendents, people who keep our communities moving, literally. Part of my message was on finding your why. Today's blog post is going to focus on just that.

Why do we do what we do?

What motivates us to get up, go to work, do our jobs, volunteer where we do, exercise, engage in activities…anything and everything?

It's a simple question with a complicated answer. And honestly? Most of us don't spend nearly enough time thinking about it.

When the Going Gets Tough

Here's what I know for certain: when things get difficult at work, and they will, your why is what keeps you moving forward.

Think about it. You're going to face challenges that test everything you've got. Equipment failures. Budget crises. Personnel issues that make you question your sanity. Projects that go sideways despite your best planning. Community complaints that feel personal even when they're not.

In those moments, knowing your why isn't just some fluffy motivational concept. It's the difference between pushing through and giving up. It's what reminds you that this work matters beyond the immediate frustration.

The view from the top is worth the effort. — The View from the Top

The Real Answer, Not the "Should" Answer

"The key is being honest with yourself about what drives you."

When I asked the superintendents in that room to identify their why, I was specific about something important: I wanted the real answer. Not the answer they thought they should give. Not the polished response that sounds good in a job interview. The actual, honest truth about what gets them up in the morning to do this work.

Because here's the thing, your why doesn't have to be profound or poetic. It doesn't have to sound like it belongs on an inspirational poster. It just has to be true.

Maybe your why is providing safe roads for families. Maybe it's building something that lasts beyond your career. Maybe it's solving problems that actually matter in people's daily lives. Maybe it's training the next generation. Maybe it's serving your community in a tangible way.

And you know what? Maybe it's getting paid. Maybe it's the health insurance. Maybe it's having a stable job close to home so you can be there for your kids.

All of these are valid. All of these matter. The key is being honest with yourself about what drives you.

Why "Why" Gets Lost

We spend more time at work than we do with our families during the week. Think about that for a second. You're at work at least 40 hours per week, not counting commute time. You get home, handle whatever needs handling, crash into bed, and wake up to do it all again. Your active, awake hours during the workweek are spent with people you work with, not the people you chose to build a life with.

Given that reality, shouldn't we be crystal clear about why we're investing all that time and energy?

But somewhere along the way, we get caught up in the day-to-day chaos. The immediate fires that need putting out. The endless to-do lists. The complaints and crises and complications. We lose sight of the bigger picture, the reason we chose this work in the first place.

The Billion-Step Climbs

"Your why reminds you to keep climbing"

I shared a story with those superintendents about hiking in Tennessee. We'd tackled one beautiful trail in the morning and felt pretty confident. So we found another trail marked "easy/beginner" on Google. The advertisement promised amazing views and estimated it would take an hour, maybe two.

It started with what I can only describe as about a billion steps. Steep, rocky, uneven steps carved into the side of what was basically a cliff. About halfway up, gasping for air, I realized we'd been had. "Easy" apparently meant "easy for someone who trains for ultramarathons." "Beginner" meant "beginner rock climber."

Billion step climbs on a hike. — One of the sets of steps

But here's the thing about being halfway up a cliff, turning back is often harder than pushing forward. We were committed.

When we finally reached the top, the views were absolutely breathtaking. It was spectacular in a way that made every difficult step worth it.

Your why is what gets you up those billion steps. When you discover the real scope of what you're facing, when the "easy" project turns into something much harder than expected, your why reminds you to keep climbing.

Making It Practical

Knowing your why isn't enough. You need to keep it front and center, especially when things get tough.

Here's what I told those superintendents to do, and what I'm telling you: write it down. Right now. Not later. Take a few minutes and write down your answer. What is your why? What gets you up in the morning to do this work?

Then put it somewhere you'll see it regularly. On your desk. In your phone. On your bathroom mirror. Wherever you'll be reminded of it when things get challenging.

Because when you're dealing with that crisis at work, when the project goes sideways, when you're questioning whether any of this matters, your why will remind you that it does.

The Team Dimension

"As a leader, you have the ability to change, maintain, and create an environment that enables success for everyone."

Your why also affects how you lead others. When you're clear about your own motivation, you can help your team find theirs. You can create an environment where people connect their daily work to something meaningful. You can remind them why their contributions matter when they're struggling through the difficult parts.

As a leader, you have the ability to change, maintain, and create an environment that enables success for everyone. But you can't do that effectively if you've lost touch with your own purpose.

Moving Forward

"Your why is your anchor in the storm. It's your compass when the path isn't clear."

Leadership isn't just about the big moments, it's about the daily choices that prepare you for when those big moments arrive. And one of those daily choices is staying connected to your why.

Every day, ask yourself: Am I leading with my why? Am I letting immediate frustrations overshadow the bigger purpose? Am I helping my team connect to their own sense of purpose?

The truth is, there will always be another challenge. Another project that's harder than expected. Another crisis that tests everything you've learned. But when you're clear about your why, those challenges become stepping stones rather than obstacles.

Your why is your anchor in the storm. It's your compass when the path isn't clear. It's your fuel when you're running on empty.

So take the time to identify it. Write it down. Keep it visible. And let it guide you through whatever comes next.

Because the view from the top is worth it. But you need to know why you're climbing to get there.

What's your why? Have you taken the time to really identify what motivates you? Share your thoughts in the comments, I'd love to hear what drives you.

As always, carry social kindness with you everywhere you go. The world needs you and your positive mindset!