Why Do You Get up In the Morning?

At first glance, it might seem like a ridiculous question, right? And the reply, mechanical and, perhaps, automatic, rush out “I obviously know because I get up every morning!”

But when we stop, turn off autopilot, and reflect on the real reason we get up in the morning, we can be surprised by our responses.

Perhaps, you will discover that, after all, you never stopped to think about the reasons that lead you to do what you do.

Because society instilled you? Country? teachers? Colleagues?

Because you love what you do? Obligation? For the salary? To help someone? For the family?

The options are endless and, apparently, it may seem that there are no wrong answers. But this would only be valid if we assumed that none of the responses would be to inflict pain on ourselves or others.

But if we look at this apparently simple question and scrutinize it at a social, financial, professional, and sentimental level, we can discover that the routine we take for granted may not have the best origin or the best result.

We may find ourselves trapped in a socially accepted limbo that, in fact, does not meet our dreams placed in the third, or fourth plan. Or even that, despite getting up for good reasons, we forget about them as we enter the bureaucratic and procedural spiral of life.

Whatever the answer, the result will have to meet your dreams and your happiness. Because there is nothing worse than waking up every day with no purpose to get up in the morning.

So a small suggestion: take a break.

Think about what you are doing and why you are doing it.

Analyze if you are in line with what you want or if you need to readjust.

If you’re not happy, take steps to be happy.

If you are happy, stop to enjoy and savor the victories.

This is a question I like to ask my team members because it makes them stop and think about their purpose.

I have received so many varied responses that became a fun exercise to do and make it almost like a teambuilding moment. But you can do it as well in 1 on 1 meeting. The most important thing is for you to be a moderator and not to try to influence the responses because they are personal.

With this question, I have already helped a lot of people to change departments or even leave the company. If you put people first, doesn´t matter if they stay or leave the company because you know they are doing the best thing for their lives. So be supportive and be glad to know that you are really impacting people positively and helping them to be happier, regardless of the company.

The results are very varied but I guarantee that they will never be a waste of time and can help immensely in helping to achieve a better and more adjusted leadership in your team and company.

Finally, don’t forget that you are free to create your own path and that, at any moment, it ends when we least expect it.

So it’s better to make the most of it 😉

If you are not happy at your work or with other aspects of your life, it's time to search for other alternatives as soon as possible. Life is too short to be unhappy and waste time doing things that do not bring us joy.

Find or create your purpose and never give up.

Have a wonderful day,

Alexandra Sousa