Last week, we talked about setting goals that create real change. But even the best-designed goals can lose their shine when we're deep in the day-to-day work. That's when we need to reconnect with something deeper: our why.

Here's what I've noticed in both my own work and with clients: when motivation fades, it's rarely because our goals aren't important. It's usually because we've lost touch with the deeper reason behind them.

How to maintain momentum by reconnecting with your why

Step One: Excavate Your True Why

Surface-level whys rarely sustain us. "I want to grow my business" might be true, but it's not the whole story. Try this instead:

- Ask yourself "why?" five times for each goal

- Notice which answers make you feel uncomfortable or vulnerable

- Pay attention to when your answers shift from external metrics to internal truths

- Look for themes across different areas of your life

For example, when I dig beneath "I want to support more leaders," I find "I believe sustainable leadership creates positive ripple effects in families and communities." That's a why that can fuel me through challenges.

Step Two: Use Your Why as a Decision Filter

Your why isn't just motivation—it's a powerful tool for decision-making. When you're clear on purpose, you can:

- Evaluate opportunities based on alignment rather than just logistics

- Say no to things that look good but don't serve your deeper purpose

- Make faster decisions by checking against your core why

- Identify when you're being driven by shoulds rather than authentic motivation

For example, I’ve been considering whether to go to a particular conference. My initial reaction was "of course!" But when I checked it against my why—supporting sustainable leadership that creates positive ripple effects—I realized that while this event would be fun, it really wouldn’t support that kind of work (not that we can’t have fun, but if I’m looking for fun, I’ll just take a vacation – not go to a conference!). This clarity helped me conserve my time and money for something more aligned with my why.

Step Three: Create Regular Why Check-ins

Purpose isn't a one-time discovery—it's an ongoing relationship. Build simple practices to stay connected:

- Keep evidence of impact where you can see it

- Schedule regular time to revisit and refine your why

- Create rituals that connect you to your purpose before important work

- Share your why with people who can reflect it back to you when you forget

For instance, I keep a folder of messages from clients describing how our work together has influenced their lives. Before important meetings or workshops, I spend five minutes reading one of these messages. This simple ritual helps me stay connected to the real impact of my work, especially on days when I'm caught up in logistics or facing unexpected challenges.

One Thing to Ask Yourself This Week:

"What part of my work consistently energizes me, even when it's challenging? What does that tell me about my deeper why?"

One Thing to Try:

Choose one goal from last week's goal-setting work. Take 10 minutes to ask yourself "why?" repeatedly until you hit something that makes you pause or feels vulnerable. Notice how this deeper why might shift your approach to that goal.

In 2025, let’s commit to remembering what's true and letting that truth guide our choices.

Until next week,

Lauren