You need a compelling reason
Understand what a compelling reason is and why every important thing you do needs one.
When you’re stuck at the start
Sometimes it’s hard to begin a task or project because you aren’t in the right frame of mind. You may be feeling doubt about…
what you’re doing,
how long it will take,
if it will change things,
if you’re doing it right
or good enough.
Sometimes you procrastinate because you don’t actually want to do the thing.
Sometimes you want to do the thing, but your reasons are vague and distant.
You need to get clear on those reasons. To bring the work closer to you, into focus, in step with your everyday reality. This will help when you feel the doubt. Or dread. Or whatever thought gremlins haunt you.
The step you shouldn’t skip
There’s an important part of goal-setting (and goal-achieving) that I think most people miss: Imagining what their success will look and feel like.
We’re very good at picturing failure. We have stinging memories of what that feels like. And with worry so readily available, we need something that keeps us yearning for the win. A simple story that motivates…
A compelling reason is a single sentence that explains how a task, project, or goal is meaningful to you — a ‘why’ that reminds you what matters.
A compelling reason allows you to paint a picture of your success. It reminds you of why it’s important to do the thing and how you’ll feel when you’re done. Accomplishment. Pride. Contentment. Freedom. Delight. Whatever other feelings you enjoy.
And perhaps most importantly, your compelling reason will motivate you to actually do the thing.
There are long-term benefits, too. As you complete several things, your compelling reasons create a collage of the incredible value of all the work you’re doing.
The thought gremlins hate that. It repels them.
Create a compelling reason in 5 steps
Pick a goal, project, or task that you’re struggling with.
Write down as many reasons you can think of for why you’re doing this.
Review your list, noticing which things generate the best feelings; these are the reasons you connect with more strongly.
See how you might combine the strongest reasons into a single sentence.
Lastly, rewrite your sentence to be as empowering and motivating as possible.
What your compelling reason is (and isn’t)
Once you have your sentence written, check it against the criteria below.
Well-crafted compelling reasons should:
Feel compelling to YOU
Be short and memorable
Inspire or motivate you (at least a little bit, but ideally a lot)
A compelling reason isn’t:
What the brief, your boss, parent, partner, or the ‘should’ voice in your head says
Boring, technical or trite
Something that feels obligatory or like work
Goes against what you believe or ultimately want to achieve
In a nutshell, a compelling reason is a custom-made motivational poster that doesn’t make you cringe. You should be able to look at it and think: YES!
Or at least, I can do this.
Make it visible
Now that you have your compelling reason, make it visible in a way that is meaningful to you.
Write it out on a nice sheet of paper or card. Add it to your calendar. Put it wherever makes sense. It’s there for you when you need it later, especially when you’re feeling less motivated. For when things get Hard.
Bonus tip: It can help to give your tasks compelling titles in your lists and calendar blocks. When it’s time to do the thing, you get a small boost of motivation through reminding yourself why it’s important to you.
For example, ‘Do taxes’ is never thrilling and probably generates feelings of UGH just reading the words. However, ‘Show the government why I am a kickass professional’ is much more compelling. At the very least, it’s mildly amusing, which is a better frame of mind to get started.
Dig until you find it
Sometimes we have to dig real deep to find our compelling reason for doing something.
If you dig and dig and you can’t come up with a compelling reason, dump the task.
If you absolutely can’t dump the task, you’re not digging deep enough. That is, you do want to do it. There is a reason — you’re just not fully aware of it yet.
You need to realise what that reason is and reframe it in the most empowering way possible.
You can do anything you want, as long as you like your reasons for it. Might as well make them the most compelling, empowering reasons you can think of.
Sometimes our compelling reasons aren’t what we (or society) typically expect, and that’s fine. The only thing that matters is whether your reasons for doing things are motivating to YOU.
“I’m doing the inventory audit for my boss because it’s important to me to lay low at work and not get fired while I look for another job” is a perfectly ok compelling reason.
Or better yet, “By doing this task now, I ensure that I’m in good standing at work, which gives me peace of mind and positive energy for job searching later this evening.”
Notice if you experience a slightly better feeling in your body as you read the second sentence. That’s the power of reframing.
Remember that this is a practice. And that your first draft is always perfect.
Lastly, if you would like support with figuring out your reasons and how to make them more compelling in a way that motivates YOU to go do it, get in touch with me
