Going 200 miles per hour… but in the wrong direction

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Did you know that the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is capable of 204mph? And that it’s able to hit 60mph in 3.7 seconds? If you love electric cars, the Tesla P85D can do 60mph in 3.1 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Impressive, right?

But even with all this power and speed, what if you don’t know how to drive the car or where you’re going?
You could have the most amazing vehicle, but you’re useless without fuel (your WHY) and your roadmap (your HOW).

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You might know the mechanics of how to set up a Facebook ads campaign or how to interview someone for a podcast– those skills can be taught.
But 10 times more important than the WHAT is the HOW– understanding the concepts underlying the blind following of a process.
Yet 10 times more important than HOW is WHY– to not just have the tactics and principles, but roll it up into a vision.

Your mission (your WHY) ultimately must be about WHO- since others must buy into your dream.
You must care so deeply about them that they have no fear, to then focus on helping others.

I’ve read perhaps 100 self-help books– yes, I know you’re not supposed to admit that.
But out of 4,000 books over 40 years, that’s only 2.5 percent.

I’ve studied the WHY behind these motivational speakers– their WHY and the congruence with the WHY of their readers.
It boils down to this: if you’re not passionate about something, you can’t manufacture motivation.
Maybe the love of money and nice things will help you muscle through temporarily, but it won’t hold up.

Mark Lack shared the simplest way to find your WHY- your willingness to dedicate yourself:

10341870_465875113515931_16608541039676994_nIf you want to create a really powerful WHY, think about what you are willing to exchange your life for. What is worth exchanging your precious time, energy and effort on every day to the point where you will exchange your life for it? Then ask yourself “Why am I 100% committed and willing to exchange my life for this?” and go deeper and deeper on the “why”.”

When there is love, there is no fear

I’m convinced that the main reason people fail is because of fear.
They might not want to call it that by name– covered by being stressed out, not feeling well, your laptop being broken, being too busy, etc…

But if you’re really into something, there’s no way you can be afraid of it.
That fear turns into excitement– anticipation, just like a Christmas gift you’re about to open.

When you follow your effort (not your passion), as Mark Cuban says, you deepen your expertise.
And with competence comes confidence.

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Confidence breeds the energy and passion needed for you to overcome any challenges.

Decide where you are at each of these levels of WHY, HOW, and WHAT.

If you find yourself aimless, that’s not a bad thing.

There are folks going 200 miles per hour in the wrong direction.
It’s like drug addicts or escapists who don’t want to face reality– instead, distracting themselves with mindless details.

If you’re actively considering these questions, it means your mind is open.
You’re receptive to making adjustments, instead of blindly continuing to charge in the wrong direction.

Easier to teach an amateur the right way to do things than unteach bad habits from someone unwilling to learn.

As powerful as the personal branding sequence is for people or the 30 item checklist is for businesses, without your WHY, it’s no good.
We can supply the vehicle and the maps, but you must supply the gas.

Dennis Yu

About the Author

Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu is co-author of the #1 best-selling book on Amazon in social media, The Definitive Guide to TikTok Ads.  He has spent a billion dollars on Facebook ads across his agencies and agencies he advises. Mr. Yu is the "million jobs" guy-- on a mission to create one million jobs via hands-on social media training, partnering with universities and professional organizations.You can find him quoted in major publications and on television such as CNN, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, NPR, and LA Times. Clients have included Nike, Red Bull, the Golden State Warriors, Ashley Furniture, Quiznos-- down to local service businesses like real estate agents and dentists. He's spoken at over 750 conferences in 20 countries, having flown over 6 million miles in the last 30 years to train up young adults and business owners. He speaks for free as long as the organization believes in the job-creation mission and covers business class travel.You can find him hiking tall mountains, eating chicken wings, and taking Kaqun oxygen baths-- likely in a city near you.