Relentlessly Search for the Why Behind the What
Editor's Note: This is a continuation of our core conversation on "Great Connections Lead to Great Ideas." Last Friday, Dr. Mollie Marti encouraged us to create ripples of goodness. Today, Danielle LaPorte reminds us to relentlessly search for the why behind the what.
Relentlessly Search for the Why behind the What
"So why did you go bankrupt?" I asked my mentor-man. "Because I was a drunk. But really, because I was greedy. I equated power with speed. I should have done half as much, twice as good." Note to self: Slow down, your time is coming.
"Why did you partner with her?" I asked the mega-firm CEO. "Because every time I brought an idea to her, she made it better without losing the spirit of my reasoning. She consistently inspired me to be impeccable." Note to self: Partner with people who make you feel more like yourself. Seek the excellent ones.
"Why did you walk away?" I asked lonely dude at cocktail party. "Because I was afraid of having what I wanted. I left too soon. I regret it." Note to self: Self-sabotage is a bitch. Stay the course. Open up to being truly satisfied.
It's easy to find out what people are up to. But finding out why they're up to it is where the wisdom and innovation are waiting. My mentors' mistakes have saved me money and heartache. Knowing the reasoning that steered people's failures and successes not only flattens my learning curve into a smooth highway, but it shakes my thinking up — and ideas begin to surface.
Don't be mystified. Forget restraint and shelve your fear, and endeavor to really know more about the person in front of you. Analyze motivations. Dig deeper. Why did you sell? Why did you change your mind? Why that price? Why now?
Asking why is the most simply powerful acts of connecting that you can make.
There is a lesson behind everyone's motivations that can affirm your sensibility, shatter your beliefs, or spark your next Big Thing. Curiosity always moves you forward.
More about Danielle: Danielle LaPorte is the creator of WhiteHotTruth.com, which has been called "the best place on-line for kick-ass spirituality." She is the author of The Spark Kit: A Digital Experience for Entrepreneurs, an inspirational speaker, and a former think tank executive. Her next book, The Fire Starter Sessions: A Guide to Blazing Your Own Trail in Life & Work, ships in April 2012 from Random House. You can find her on Twitter @daniellelaporte.
Tomorrow, Janet Goldstein talks about getting to the truth through conversations with brainiacs, thought partners and yourself.