Our toddlers, still babes and just barely getting a taste of life, know in their intelligent innocence there must be answers. They begin their journey of discovering what’s important by asking and asking and asking,

“WHY?”

My little 4-year-old nephew, Joey, just today in a one-hour staccato-inquisition asked me:

“Why can’t I see my eyes?… Why do I have spit?… Why don’t the clouds fall on us?…Why are you sad?… Why can’t dogs talk?…Why are there boys and girls?…Why can’t you fly like Superman?”

Answering all the “whys” is a difficult proposition.

In life, the ability to answer your personal “why” sums up your reason to exist; your intention; your resolution; your determination, aim and relevancy.

Answering your personal “why” reveals your guiding principles and values…it clarifies your reason for being…it determines your behavior—what you do and how you do it…it brings to you the people in your life who you will journey with.

Your “why” is your purpose. Your cause. Your belief. It’s what’s driving your motivation…it’s your reason for being.

You should take some time to know what your “why” is.

As we go through our day, the richness, power and success in life come from being able to answer the why-questions. Why do you do what you do?

A very good friend told me just last night that , “whether you trudge or dance through your days and weeks and months, if you can’t be comfortable asking God to bless what you are doing—there may be something askew.”

Having a clear “why” gives you a context for everything you do and every action that you take.

I was at a Vital Leadership event this weekend. It was an event overflowing with exceptional people—including many Vital Leadership students.  Talking to the students—every single one was a presentation of exceptionalism. Leaders in the making. All destined to make a difference in the world that unfolds before them.

As the talk was about Vital Leadership and what the foundation was all about, I was asked again and again, not what Vital Leadership did, or how it did what it did. I was asked why.

Why did Vital Leadership exist? Why was I involved? Why did Kim and Jack Bastable offer up all their resources, time and riches to begin and breath life into Vital Leadership?

It was comfortable for me to answer. It was important for me to answer in my own words. For me, there is clarity in answering this particular “why” question. It is simple:

—I work with and for Vital Leadership to acknowledge the fire in the hearts of young adults; to honor their desire to reach for possibilities and greatness; to help them in their pursuit of a potential that is nearly unlimited. I work with Vital Leadership and the young adults involved because I want to make sure that they have an opportunity to reach that potential.

In that effort, Vital Leadership is structured around teaching and bringing to light the vital behaviors necessary to approach full potential.

It’s a discovery process. As the answer to  “why” as our guide we can better form the “what” and “how”.

The core of that process for Vital Leadership is formed around identified vital behaviors. Vital behaviors that help us get to the “why” that is so important and worthy.

Through Vital Leadership, young adults gain perspective and knowledge about 10 vital behaviors that enable leaders to perform at their best and to positively impact the world:

10 VITAL BEHAVIORS

THAT ENABLE ALL LEADERS TO PERFORM AT THEIR BEST 

 

 I.  ARTICULATE A CLEAR PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE—BASED ON YOUR SET OF DEFINED PERSONAL VALUES

(the value of stating a mission, managing life purposefully and how to set measurable, attainable goals)

II. KNOW YOUR OWN STRENGTHS, TALENTS AND PASSIONS AND EMBRACE YOUR ABILITIES VS DISABILITIES

(identifying personal values and strengths—learn that managing life utilizing your strengths, passions and talents enhances personal wellbeing)

 III.  SEE THAT VITALITY IN LIFE OFTEN IS LINKED TO INTELLECTUAL AND EMOTIONAL BALANCE WITHIN THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF: SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, FINANCIAL, COMMUNITY, CAREER AND SOCIAL WELLBEING

(a thriving existence includes life balance)

 IV.  RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT AND IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS AND HOW TO BE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE TOWARD OTHERS

(the power of emotion in life, relationships must be intentionally managed)

 V.  REALIZE THAT “COMMUNICATION” DOESN’T EQUAL “CONNECTION”

(effective communicating—the power of body language, practice in the spoken word, and the art of the written word— “connecting” requires diligence and intentionality)

 VI. RECOGNIZE THE BENEFITS OF LIVING WITH POSITIVITY, GRATITUDE AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS

(the power of positivity and its influence over both mindset and actions)

 VII. REALIZE THAT WHAT’S MOST URGENT MIGHT NOT BE WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT

(understand and take responsibility for personal health, energy management, living your values, how urgency interferes with prioritization and the need for preparation and practice to cultivate success)

 VIII. RECOGNIZE THAT PERPERTUAL LEARNERS ARE PERPETUAL LEADERS

(trying new things, studying the disciplines of other cultures, continually investing or “tithing” in self, developing a growth mindset, embracing change, becoming and finding a mentor, and valuing life’s failures and mistakes)

 IX. VIEW THE “LADDER OF SUCCESS” REALISTICALLY AND MORE AS A “CLIMBING WALL”

(opportunities aren’t always clear, and the path may not be straight or without risk—but passivity isn’t an option)

 X. LIVE FOR SOMETHING BIGGER THAN SELF

(having a spiritual foundation and living for others before self)

 

Know your “Why” and you will figure out your ‘What” and “How“.

“You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self, to live out your purpose, and to do it fearlessly.”

—Steve Maraboli