In his book You Owe You: Ignite Your Power, Your Purpose, and Your Why, Eric Thomas asks a powerful question: “Do you want to succeed as badly as you want to breathe?” If you’re like most people, you probably say that you do. But the truth is, most of us don’t want it bad enough. We’re willing to put in a little bit of effort, but when things get tough, or we get tired, we’re quick to throw in the towel. According to Thomas, this is because we don’t have a strong enough ‘why.’
So what does it mean to “know your why,” and how can it help us to succeed? Simply put, your “why” relates to finding your purpose or your reason for doing what you do. It’s the driving force that keeps you going when things get tough, the thing that makes you want to succeed as badly as you want to breathe.
Know your “why” to ignite your power.
According to Thomas, one of the first steps to achieving success is to identify your “why” and then make it the driving force behind everything you do. This means setting clear goals for yourself, developing a plan to achieve those goals, and then following through on that plan every single day with zero expectation other than “I’m going to keep showing up.”
It means being willing to put in the work, even when you’re tired or things don’t go your way. Be willing to bet on yourself; take back your power even when others doubt you or try to hold you back.
Lean into opportunities and back them up with consistent action.
Finding your purpose isn’t the end of your journey; it merely marks the beginning of it. It can often mean being willing to start from zero. We all start from zero at some point in our lives, and it’s up to us to make the most of the opportunities that come our way. According to Thomas, if you want to be successful, you have to take consistent action.
Channel the power of habit: build a discipline around practices that will lead you closer to achieving your goals. Be willing to give up sleep, put in the work every single day, and keep showing up, even when you feel like giving up. Because when you want to succeed as badly as you want to breathe, that’s when you’ll find a way to make your dreams a reality.
Conclusion: Ignite your power, your purpose, and your why
If you’re ready to kickstart your journey to fulfill your “why” and lead a life of purpose, take a page from Eric Thomas’s book and remember: you owe it to yourself to keep going. If you have a strong why and are willing to bet on yourself, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. So don’t let anyone or anything hold you back – just keep showing up and doing the work, and you’ll be on your way to achieving your dreams.
