Why?

As I began on the path to starting a private counseling practice I had many people question if it was worth it, if I should just find an established practice to work for, if I should take on the task of creating something from nothing. I never doubted my dream and never doubted my vision. In fact, I felt a sense of excitement and a sense of fulfillment anytime I sat down to make my dream a reality. I believed in every fiber of this pursuit, and the main energy source of my belief was one simple truth:

I knew my why!

Why am I doing this? This simple question is how I justify my actions in life. You see, knowing your personal ‘why’ is what gets you moving forward when you are not even sure where to start. Knowing your ‘why’ is what allows you to hear the doubter’s concern, without concerning yourself with their doubt. Knowing your ‘why’ is what keeps you up late working on the smallest of details and waking up early, eager to start your day before the majority of other people. Knowing your ‘why’ is what allows you to focus your time on the priority you have defined, pushing distractions out in to the cold . Knowing your ‘why’ leads to acting with purpose and passion, neither of which is possible without first answering your ‘why.’

Knowing my ‘why’ is what allowed me to imagine this day in 2011, taking graduate classes each semester until 2017, passing state exams, and finally achieving day 1 of my dream in the spring of 2018. Having a purpose made the long nights of completing research papers possible, putting theory into practice with hours upon hours of training inspiring, instead of taxing, and missing out on time with friends, justified.

So, what is my reason? What is my ‘why’?

I have witnessed the positive change when one embraces a resilient, gritty, and optimistic mindset. I have seen the power of positive habits on positive thoughts and positive behaviors. I have experienced all of this in my own life due to the mentoring, counseling, and coaching others have provided to me along my journey. The gratitude I have for those who continued to share their wisdom, even when I was unable to hear it, cannot be fully expressed through words.

My ‘why’ comes back to all those influences in my life. My gratitude for their time, energy, and compassion can only be shared by giving my time, energy, and compassion to as many people as I can. My belief in the counseling profession, my belief in our unique model at MBS, and my belief in your ability to find the same empowerment in your life as I found in mine will never waiver.

I will never waiver because I know my ‘why” and I will never let them down by giving up.

What is your ‘why’?