Often, I notice myself asking how to do something when I really should be asking why.
- How do I get up earlier in the morning instead of hitting the snooze three times, or ditching the alarm altogether?
- How do I eat healthier foods while still enjoying opportunities to go out with friends?
- How do I stay focused on one project at a time instead of getting distracted every two seconds, or procrastinating?
For each of these kinds of questions, the question shouldn’t be How. It should be Why.
- Why do I get up early on the mornings when I do get up early?
- Why do I need to eat healthier foods? Why are certain social obligations so important to me?
- Why do I easily focus on some projects but not others? Why do I procrastinate?
In other words, what’s the motivation? The rest is just details. While still important, they aren’t the real obstacle.
Do you notice yourself asking How when you should be asking Why?
