How well do you see your target? Is it clear? Do you even know what it actually is? I asked this question of a young lad at work during the week. We weren't talking about a target in a rifle scope though, we were talking about his professional/life target and more specifically the **_WHY_** this young lad is even around, at the office, trying to do what can be a very difficult job. The young lad was unable to answer the question which, in my opinion, is one of the main reasons he is struggling to maintain focus, a solid work-rate and to show any real ownership for his progression. 

![IMG_7057.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPu633BpXyqVyTGfCk8VPt7ABmkv4pqoEh23PBNHFuoNz/IMG_7057.jpg)

Understanding why you want to achieve something is just as important as having goals and plans in place to actually achieve the thing in question. So, what could a **_WHY_** be in the first place? 

A person's *"why"* can vary depending on the actual task. Why would someone work hard at the gym for instance? Well, for physical appearance, general health, training for a sport or event, for an emotional release through physical activity, to prepare for pregnancy and childbirth, to secure a particular job...Many reasons. Let's take one though and see how much deeper it could go: Health reasons.

So, a diabetic may hit the gym because he knows it's a good way to control the disease. But is that his *"why?"* He may have a family, a wife and young children so wants to maintain health. But is that his *"why?"* I think probably both of those reasons could qualify of course however the man also has a life in general. Hobbies, friends, parents, a job, holidays to take and so on, and so his *"why"* is infinitely larger than simply *to control his diabetic issues.*

Back to the young lad at work. He was unable to clearly tell me his *"why"* and so we discussed it. Of course he eventually said *money* but it goes deeper than that, as with the gym guy from above. After a short time he started to get that it wasn't about money and that there many other more powerful **_WHY's_**. Money wasn't what he wanted, he wanted what the money could do for him, his life. 

The concept of understanding the true reason, the motivator or **_WHY_** for doing anything in life is a very important one in my opinion. It can help provide the impetus to continue after a setback, the motivation to apply yourself to a task when an easier option, with a lesser result, may exist and also acts as a measure of your progress and [hopefully] ultimate success through your hard work. 

So, I asked the young lad later in the week, *"what is your why?"* and was pleased that he could clearly define it. It was somewhat amusing to be honest because he related it to me with such conviction and passion! That was exactly what I wanted to see; Conviction, passion and ownership. Those things are essential to success along with massive action, persistence, humility and about a hundred other things as well. Success, at anything, doesn't always come easy, or hard for that matter, but it's always rewarding. 

So, how well do you see your target? Your *"WHY?"*

[- The best way to increase your self esteem is to increase someone else’s -]

Ps. You may have noticed I have rolled out a different sign-off on this post. Just testing it out to see how it feels :) 

The image is looking through one of my rifle scopes at a steel target 788m away. Taken by me. If you zoom in you'll see the target gong better although there was a fairly heavy mirage distorting the image...A bit like all the distractions that could get in the way of a person's **_WHY!_**