Ask them to get a paper and a pen.
Present 2 suggestions of how a why statement is written with examples:
Suggestion 1 - I want to {your contribution} so that {impact statement}
o Example: to empower and educate everyone so that they can improve their lives and achieve their goals.
o To inspire people to do the things that inspire them so that, together, we can change our world.
Suggestion 2 - I am the {metaphor} so that people {impact statement}
o Example: I am the magician/ lighthouse/ dynamite/ alarm clock that...
o Example:I am the lighthouse that guides people to their dreams; I am the dynamite that transforms people’s lives.
oThe metaphor can also be an action: I wake people up/ I explode the lies/ I uncover the inner truth/ I call people home
Tell them this can also take the shape of a piece of music... Call their creativity!
Explain the attention points of the why statement. Those are the last important notes before giving them the necessary space to embark in their personal reflection:
o Remind them they are only about to start this journey into their why statement, therefore they won’t necessarily find the exact wording in the given amount of time.
o The idea is only to find something on which they can start working with for the next months, not a final statement.
o The why statement should be as specific as to differentiate whether they are on purpose or not when making a decision – apply for a job, choose between different holidays etc.
o A why statement can be flowery, grandiose, corny – they are only there to help! - It can be something that won’t necessarily be achieved in a lifetime! It should only give you the motivation and power to act in the next few years.
Ask if they have any doubts before starting their individual reflections.