What’s your “why?” I often see this question being posed by those independent salespeople on Facebook. I thought it was just a gimmick to get more people to sign up. But I recently started thinking about it — what’s so wrong with having a “why” for everyday life? Why do you do the things you do? What motivates you to achieve your goals? I have two main goals: earning a college degree and becoming financially stable.
I thought my why was simple, but as I started thinking more in depth about it, I discovered that I have multiple whys. My first, and most important, why is that I want to earn a college degree for myself. My undergraduate career as been a whirlwind so far. I started college in 2011, after taking a year off after high school to work. Since then I was in and out of college, going to different schools, working different jobs, going part time, going full time. It was crazy to say the least. Thinking about it now, I was letting too many outside forces determine my decisions with completing my degree. There was no one else but me sitting in those classes learning the information I was learning. No one else was responsible for the work I had to do so why was I letting them make my decisions?
I also forgot that earning a degree was exactly that: earning it. When I began this journey I did not think I would have to put too much effort in to classes since I made it out of high school with little effort. Wrong, again. High school was nothing compared to college. It may be less classes but the amount of work almost triples high school. Working towards a degree is also one way of showing myself love. I want to complete this degree because I want to, not because anyone else wants me to. It is simply internal. It took me awhile to realize this as well. I do not need to prove to anyone else that I am capable of earning a degree, I need to prove it to myself. That is the only person who matters in this decision.
My second why is to become financially stable. I used to think that being financially stable meant having the highest paying job I could get. That, of course, is utterly unattainable for most people. I come from a background that was not the most stable so this has lead to my money issues. Many times we did not have enough money to cover basic things. My parents did the best they could with what they were given and I truly appreciate that. Coming in to adulthood I was money hungry. I needed the best, highest paying job I could get. I went through many college majors because I was only looking at the salaries of the jobs I could get with those majors. Not my brightest idea.
A few months ago, I had the chance to really think about my finances and what money means to me. It is not about having the best job and making a huge amount of money It’s about making enough. Enough to provide for your husband, enough to have food on the table, enough to provide a nurturing and safe place for future children. Coming to Millersville, I did not even think about the possibility of salaries when I chose my major. I thought about what I love to do.
I often think about all the missed opportunities. I don’t dwell on these because a wise man once said “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” I keep my whys posted where I can see them. I keep them with me at all times. When I have a hard day, I always look at those goals and it gives me the motivation to keep pushing forward.
So, I encourage you to do the same, collegiettes. Find what you love to do, set your goals, and work toward them every single day — even when it seems impossible. Find your why. You’ll be so happy you did.