start with why

have any of you read simon sinek’s best selling book start with why? he followed it up with a how-to book called find your why.  they are both on my reading list. all the y-branching winter stems i have been seeing on my walks, set off so clearly by the blanket of white snow, keep reminding me that i’ve been meaning to read these books. apparently, sinek argues that one of the key practices for fulfillment is to keep asking yourself why?, over, and over, and over agin, until you get to the root of what motivates you. then, and only then, can you make decisions and take actions that align with your basic values. so, for example, i might start with “why do you do STILL?” because i wanted a daily creative practice. why do you want a daily creative practice? because i want to have a meaningful creative career in my retirement years. why do you want to be a creative in your retirement years? because i find the creative process more fulfilling than any other activity.  why do you find creativity so fulfilling? because it is the closest i have ever come to deep play–that zen state of suspended time. etc. etc. etc.   supposedly, this kind of questioning can lead to great insights and alignment of actions and values. i’m headed to nyc for four days. i think i will download the books for the plane trips and report back next week.

winter weed stem