A Why Big Enough to Make the How Possible

There’s a moment in everyone’s journey where the how feels insurmountable. The work is too hard, the steps are unclear, and the obstacles feel relentless. In these moments, the strength of your why becomes your compass, your engine, and your lifeline.

When I’m standing knee-deep in a rushing river, fly rod in hand, and the day’s conditions are working against me, I think about why I’m there. Is it the challenge? The connection to nature? Or the lessons it will teach me that apply far beyond the riverbank? That clarity drives me to adjust my cast, change my approach, and keep moving forward, even when the odds seem against me.

The same is true in life and leadership.

The Power of Your Why

Your why is your purpose—the big-picture reason behind what you do. It’s what transforms effort into passion and obstacles into mere steps on the path forward. A well-defined why can power you through the uncertainty of a startup, the grind of scaling a company, or even the deeply personal work of making a life change like improving your fitness or breaking old habits.

As Ben Newman calls it, your why is the Burn. It’s the internal fire that keeps you going, even on the days you don’t feel like it. The Burn doesn’t rely on motivation—it thrives on your commitment to your purpose. When you wake up and don’t want to face the day, when you’re slogging through the grind and can’t see the finish line, your why—your Burn—is what drives you to take one more step, make one more call, and keep moving forward.

But here’s the catch: your why has to be big enough. If it’s weak, fleeting, or vague, it will crumble under pressure. A strong why anchors you. It makes the how not just possible, but inevitable.

Building a Big Enough Why

1. Dig Deep

Surface-level motivations—money, titles, appearances—won’t sustain you when things get hard. Instead, ask yourself why those things matter. What’s the real, raw reason you care? Keep peeling back the layers until you hit something that moves you emotionally.

For me, using first principles thinking has been a game changer in this process. First principles thinking encourages you to break down complex ideas or goals into their most basic, foundational truths. Start with the big picture—your goal or challenge—and then ask yourself, “What’s at the root of this?” Decompose each answer until you arrive at the core drivers of your motivation.

For example, if you want to grow a successful business, ask yourself why. Is it for financial freedom? Security for your family? Or perhaps it’s about creating something enduring that will outlast you. Keep asking “why” until you uncover something that resonates deeply—when you connect to a purpose so fundamental it becomes impossible to ignore.

Digging deep and relying on first principles not only reveals your core motivations, but it also simplifies the overwhelming complexity of the how. When you know the bedrock truth of your why, it gives clarity and focus to your decisions, especially when the path gets tough.

2. Make it Personal

Your why has to resonate deeply with you. For me, leading a company isn’t just about financial success—it’s about building something enduring, fostering growth, and creating a lasting impact. Helping others grow into the best version of themselves as leaders and individuals is a legacy I’m proud to leave behind.

The same is true when I teach someone to fly fish. It’s more than an activity on the water—it’s a way to honor the passion for the outdoors my Grandma instilled in me from a young age. Her lessons about being fully present with those around me have shaped how I live my life. When I share my love of fly fishing, I’m not just teaching a skill—I’m offering a way to connect with nature, with oneself, and with the fleeting moments that make life meaningful. That’s what makes it personal and powerful.

3. Anchor it in Service

The most powerful whys are often tied to serving others—your team, your family, your community. When your purpose transcends yourself, you unlock a well of resilience and determination you didn’t know you had. A service-driven mindset ensures your efforts are about more than just personal gain; they’re about contributing to something larger than yourself.

Reflect on the relationships and opportunities that have shaped your life. Chances are, someone gave to you without expecting anything in return. Anchoring your why in service is about paying that generosity forward. It’s a commitment to leave things better than you found them, whether it’s the people you lead, the natural spaces you love, or the community you belong to.

Service also requires a mindset of giving more than you take. Show up for others without looking for an immediate return. Whether it’s mentoring, staying late to help a teammate, or volunteering for a cause close to your heart, these acts of service create ripple effects that far exceed what you can see. A why fueled by service builds not just resilience but also impact.

Applying Your Why

Here’s your homework:

1. Grab a piece of paper or open a note app.

2. Write down a challenge you’re facing.

3. Beneath it, ask yourself why overcoming it matters.

4. Keep asking “why” to every answer you write down until you reach something that feels true and profound.

When you hit a why that stirs something inside you, write it at the top of the page and carry it with you. Let it guide you through the hard days.

The Ripple Effect of a Strong Why

A powerful why doesn’t just sustain you—it inspires everyone around you. When you’re clear on your purpose, it shows in how you lead, how you act, and how you persevere through challenges. Your why becomes a force multiplier, driving not only your success but also elevating the people and causes you touch.

Think about the ripple effect: when you’re anchored by a purpose that’s bigger than yourself, you create a lasting impact. A strong why builds trust in your leadership, fosters meaningful connections, and sparks action in others. Whether it’s your team rallying behind a bold vision, your family cherishing moments that truly matter, or a mentee finding their own direction through your example, your clarity of purpose becomes contagious.

In the end, your why defines your legacy. It’s the reason people will remember you, the impact they’ll carry forward, and the lives you’ll have changed along the way. So, if you want to lead with conviction, overcome challenges, and leave the world better than you found it, start by defining a why big enough to drive you—even on the hardest days.

And here’s the beauty of it: when you lean into your why, the how becomes just another step on a path worth walking. 

About Jenn - The Patriot Angler