What Is Your Why?
Recently I saw a TED Talk by Simon Sinek that inspired me to think about my own WHY.
According to Sinek, most people and organizations start from WHAT – ‘I have a car to sell you, I have a computer you need, here I am work with me.’ Then people and organizations move to How – ‘leather seats, low mileage, touch screens, beautiful design, we have great ideas, we’re nice and we’re capable.’
OK. That’s all okay. But… will you buy that, vote for that, go with that? Maybe.
Why, though? What happens when we work from WHY first?
Apple’s WHY says Sinek goes like this,
“With everything we do we believe in challenging the status quo. We believe in thinking differently.” Their HOW follows – ‘making products beautifully designed, simple to use and user friendly.’ And finally their WHAT – ‘We just happen to make great computers, etc…”
Of course we will buy your computers… and anything else you have to offer! Yes! Yes! Yes!
In this working from WHY model, we feel like we are aligning with a belief, a position, and a way of thinking that we want to be a part of. We want to join in that cause!
This leads me to ask myself – What is my WHY? WHY do I get up in the morning? WHY do I work in the creative industry? WHY do I work with T2+Back Alley Films?
My WHY:
- I believe we are creating all the time – with every decision, every action and every thought.
- I believe through creativity we unfold into more and more of who we truly are.
- My purpose is to help people and organizations express themselves in a way where they can discover more of who they truly are.
My HOW:
- Collaboration, listening, being present, responding quickly, connecting projects with artists and knowing that each person I meet is valuable.
My WHAT:
- Video, animation, experiential design and other digital media.
What is your WHY? Find out. And let it guide you.







