My Lens 003: “Why” Method
What motivates you? It seems so simple when first looking at it but, then you go down the rabbit hole and everything seems complex. I read somewhere that once you get “5 Why’s” deep that’s the real answer. What does “5 Why’s” mean? Allow me to explain.
The “Why” method is similar to first principles thinking (which I’m going to be writing about very soon). You can use the “Why” method to figure out your true reasons for how you do things. It’s easier to explain by example.
You’re at a restaurant and your friend gets the steak and you get the chicken. They ask, “Why did you get the chicken instead of the steak,” (this is Why #1). To which you reply, “Because I wanted chicken.” Friend responds, “Why did you want chicken,” (Why #2). You answer, “I’m trying to be healthier and I read that red meat isn’t as good for you as chicken.” They ask, “Why are you trying to be healthier,” (Why #3). You answer, “I’ve got a sedentary job and my doctor says unless changes are made, I’ll be really unhealthy.”
Now you’ve got the real reason you want chicken. You don’t want to be unhealthy in 3 years time so you’re changing your eating habits. This may seem a little extreme but, this “Why” method gets more difficult when you look at your own behavior. It’s a lot easier to judge someone else’s behavior than your own. I believe that’s because we only want to see ourselves in a positive light. “Why” evokes emotion and when emotion is brought in, you don’t think rationally. Instead it might be better to ask, “What’s the reason…” this way tends to bring less emotion into it. I’ve tried to use this method to figure what exactly it is that I want to do with myself.
“I want to work with a small company or a startup instead of a large established company.”
“What’s the reason you want to work for a small company?” (Why #1)
“Smaller company culture suits my personality better, I want to be a part of something from the ground floor, I feel like I contribute better to the overall mission when I have a smaller employer.” At this point I would have to ask “Why’s” for each part of this answer. So lets dive into just one part for now.
“What’s the reason you want to be a part of something from the ground floor?” (Why #2). Rephrased: “What’s the reason you want to be with something from the start?”
“I want to be able to say look what I was a part of. I want to have something to show for my work. One day I eventually, want to run a business.”
“What’s the reason that you aren’t starting your own business instead of hopping on board with someone else’s?” (Why #3).
“To start a business you have to solve a problem for someone. I have no experience in a business, so how am I supposed to be able to know what a problem even is?”
A ha! Now we have the real reason I want to work for a small business. I can get more meaningful work experience, which will apply better when I eventually want to start my own business. That’s the REAL reason I want to work for a startup.
That’s how the “Why” method works. Sometimes it takes only 3 Why’s and sometimes 6 or 7 but, if you ask enough questions you’ll find your answer!
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