What’s Your “Why” in 2025?

Want to live longer??

Here’s the secret: have a purpose.?

Professor Victor Strecher at the University of Michigan School of Public Health discovered that purpose has an influence on everything:

“Individuals with a solid sense of purpose not only tend to live longer, but they approach life and its various challenges with healthier attitudes and actions. Even amidst adversity and societal upheavals, such as the pandemic, it is purpose that directs people toward altruism over fear, and solidarity over isolation.”

So, how do you find your purpose? Simple: You have to start with “why.”?

Those may just be three little letters, but they’re going to have a dramatic effect on your life, both personally and professionally.?

Why Starting With "Why" Matters

When you want to make a difference, the most important tool you have is your “why.”?

Leading with your “why” helps you to:

• Connect with people on an emotional level and motivate them to support your cause.
• Foster trust and loyalty by demonstrating authenticity and shared values.
• Ensure that all actions and initiatives align with your core mission and values.
• Encourage creative and impactful solutions that address the root causes of problems.

The Limitations of “What” and “How”

When you’re passionate about a cause, focusing on the problem you want to solve can be easy.?

If you’re one of those Type A people, when you spot a problem, you probably immediately start coming up with potential ways to solve it.?

And while this is all well and good, you can’t lose track of the “why” (there’s that word again) that you’re seeking to answer in the first place.?

Starting with your “why” simplifies the process of identifying the “what” and “how” variables in your problem-solving equation.?

Finding Your "Why" in the Social Impact Space

To figure out your “why” (are you keeping a “why” counter yet?), there are several things to think about, including your core values and what you really care about, the issues you want to address, the groups you’re looking to serve, and the impact you want to make.?

You can do this by:?

• Engaging in deep introspection: Conduct internal discussions, surveys, and workshops to identify core values and beliefs.
• Listening to your stakeholders: Understand the needs and perspectives of your beneficiaries, volunteers, and supporters.
• Telling your story authentically: Share compelling narratives that resonate with your audience and inspire action.
• Continuously refining your "why": Regularly review and reassess your purpose to ensure it remains relevant and meaningful.

There’s also something else to consider: How can your “why” make money, not just for your cause, but for your organization??

While “profit” is often considered a dirty little world in the nonprofit sector, you still need to keep the lights on and your team paid.?

How Will Your “Why” Guide Your 2025?

To drive meaningful social change, it’s not enough to see a problem and try to come up with answers—you must always start with “why.”

How long has it been since you sat down to identify that “why?”?

With the start of the new year, now is a good time to remind yourself why you do what you do.?

This quote from Mark Twain sums things up nicely:?

“The two most important days in life are the day you are born and the day you discover the reason why.”

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Like what you read today? Drop a comment and let me know what you’d like me to discuss in the next newsletter!?

And here’s a bonus for you: If you comment the correct number of times I said “why” in this newsletter, you’ll get a virtual cookie! ??