Not the What but the Why

Do we really know why we do what we do?

I was listening to an audio book of Jack Canfield about “Success Principles” and he mentioned that people are not really interested with what we do but why we do it.  I’d been listening to his CD’s for quite some time now for it is a 21-hours audio recording of his book “Success Principles” and there are a lot of good stuff in there.  But when he made a comment regarding what people really care about us, it made me think.  Why do we do what we do?

There is always a reason behind every decision that we do in life.  When we choose a course in college or university, a career path that we take, wether we become an employer or an employee, self-employed or an entrepreneur.  

If other people are interested in why we do what we do, why are we not?  Did we really ever consider why we do what we do?  Most likely, we do things almost mindlessly and we get through life and we never really understood the purpose of our existence as if it does not matter as long as we get by and survive day by day, month by month and year after year.  Soon enough we noticed that time passed by us by and we have not done much after all those years.

Not long ago, I was working as an employee in a call centre doing my usual night shift.  There were not much people in the floor and I was there staring at the wall, waiting for some customer that may have a problem for me to solve.  All of a sudden, I felt like I am doing my self a disservice for I know I can do more than waiting for a call then waiting to end the shift then waiting for my salary at the end of the month.  I can do better than this!

I started reading the book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki and I realized that the reason why I stayed as an employee is because I am too afraid to make my own company.  What struck me on that book is that the rich parents teach their kids to be employers while the poor or average parents send their kids to the best school to be a good employees.  Big variance of thinking.

Knowing history, in the early days before the Industrial Age, people used to be entrepreneurs.  They sell their product and services in exchange for food, clothing or other product and services of others that they may need.  Barter system was predominant before the modern times.  Everyone becomes an expert of their own craft and trade.  Except for the slaves and a number of “bond-servants,” most of the families do their own business. Most of the people are expert craftsmen or tradesmen.  

When people begin to be satisfied of their “security” from employment, many begin to lose their skills and craftsmanship. However, what was lost above all is their business acumen and ability to trade.  Businesses become the “business” of the rich and those who have strong hearts and in the process, they become successful as they put their heart’s out in what they do. 

Not only the rich and the brave became entrepreneurs but also those people who cant be employed because they are “not qualified” or not “good enough” to be an employee.  These people are “forced” to be an entrepreneur and they work hard and eventually they succeed.  What is interesting is that both ends of the spectrum (i.e., the rich and brave in far right and the “unqualified” in the far left) contemplates of putting up a business while those in the middle wants to be an employee.

So, why do you do what you do?  Are you a businessman or an entrepreneur?  If you are, I’m sure you know why you do it.  You found a need and you filled it.  You discovered a problem and you solved it and now, you profit from it and you are paid handsomely.  If you are an employee, why do you do what you do?  Think about it.  Are you helping someone that is why you are working?  Are you solving problems that will help humanity?  If you do, good for you but if not, you better consider why you do what you do and tell me what you think.