If you aren’t already familiar with Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle rule to start with your “why”, we highly encourage you to watch that video if you want to be highly motivated. You can find that link included at the end of this blog post in case you are interested.
For those of you who haven’t seen it, let’s give you a little run down. Essentially, Simon teaches us that in order to truly inspire others to change, you need to explain WHY you are doing it. Why you believe this product or service can improve their lives. You can try to use logic, you can try to force them to understand by throwing stats or facts out, but ultimately this isn’t going to create loyal customers.
In the video, he gives a great example. He says that one of the reasons that Apple is so successful is because they understand this concept of starting with the why. He provides two routes that Apple could go. The first, is how most people will try to lead, by providing facts an stats about what they are trying to do.
“We make great computers, they’re beautifully designed, simple to use, and user friendly. Want to buy one?”
It gets the job done, it tells you why their products are good, but does it make you want to buy one? Now this next one is how Apple actually markets themselves. Notice the difference.
“Everything we do, we believe in challenging the status quo. We believe in thinking differently. The way we challenge the status quo is through our beautifully designed, simple to use, and user-friendly products. We just happen to make computers. Want to buy one?”
So much more enticing, right? Not only do you want to buy a computer from them, but you want to know more about what else they are providing! Now let’s think bigger picture.
This process doesn’t only relate to a company or a business who is trying to promote or sell something. It can lead to much greater movements as well. Anytime you are trying to promote change to others, or even to yourself! You NEED to focus on the why.
Why should you make this change? Why should you if it’s going to be inconvenient, or difficult? It can be difficult to keep your motivation if you aren’t focusing on the bigger picture of why this is going to make your life so much better.
Before you try to make a change within yourself, or try to ask others to change, make sure that you understand why this needs to happen. If you aren’t passionate aboout it, how can you expect others to? When things get tough, the biggest motivator to keep going is that WHY.
