Unlocking Your Purpose: How to Use AI to Find Your "Why"
In his influential book, "Start With Why," Simon Sinek presents a powerful concept called The Golden Circle. He argues that truly inspiring leaders and organizations think, act, and communicate from the inside out, starting with their fundamental purpose—their "Why." This "Why" is the cause or belief that drives them. While many of us can articulate what we do and how we do it, discovering our underlying "Why" can be a more profound challenge.
Enter the world of artificial intelligence. Today, AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) are moving beyond technical applications to become powerful tools for personal growth and self-improvement. They can act as a tireless, non-judgmental partner in your journey of self-discovery, helping you to reflect, identify patterns, and ultimately articulate your unique purpose.
Ready to embark on this journey? Here's a step-by-step guide to leveraging AI to find your "Why."
Step 1: Gather Your Stories for Your AI Partner
Your life experiences hold the key to your "Why." The first step is to gather the most significant stories from your personal and professional life. Think about moments of deep fulfillment and pride, as well as challenging times that taught you valuable lessons.
- Action: Write down a collection of your most impactful memories. Don't worry about perfect prose; the goal is to capture the essence of the experience and how it made you feel.
- Engage the AI: Present these stories to your AI. You can frame your request like this: "I am on a journey of self-discovery to find my 'Why,' inspired by Simon Sinek's work. I will share some important life stories with you. Please help me identify recurring themes, core values, and driving motivations within them."
Step 2: The "Friends Test" with an AI Twist
Sinek recommends asking a trusted friend, "Why are we friends?" to gain an outside perspective. An AI can help you synthesize this feedback to uncover deeper insights.
- Action: Reach out to a few close friends and ask them that simple question. Encourage them to be specific and move beyond generic compliments.
- Engage the AI: Input their (anonymized) responses into the LLM. You could prompt the AI by saying: "I've collected feedback from friends about what I bring to their lives. Here are their thoughts: [paste feedback]. Can you analyze these responses for common themes and tell me what they suggest about my unique contribution to others?"
Step 3: Identify Themes and Your Core Contribution
This is where the AI's ability to analyze information shines. Use it to connect the dots between your passions, strengths, and the impact you have on those around you.
- Action: Have a "conversation" with the AI about the information you've provided.
- Engage the AI with prompts like:
- "Based on my stories and my friends' feedback, what are the recurring themes and patterns?"
- "What do these themes suggest are my core strengths and passions?"
- "When I am at my best, what is the positive impact I have on people?"
Step 4: Co-write Your "Why" Statement with Your AI
Now it's time to distill your findings into a clear and concise "Why" statement. Sinek's recommended format is: "To ______ so that ______." The first blank is your contribution, and the second is the impact of that contribution.
- Action: Begin drafting your statement. Don't strive for perfection on the first try.
- Engage the AI as a writing partner:
- "Help me draft a 'Why' statement in the 'To ______ so that ______' format. Based on our conversation, what are some powerful ways to articulate my contribution and its resulting impact?"
- "Here's a draft: [your statement]. How can we make this more inspiring and authentic?"
Step 5: Brainstorm How to Live Your "Why"
Discovering your "Why" is the beginning, not the end. The final step is to integrate it into your life.
- Action: Think about the different facets of your life: career, relationships, and personal projects.
- Engage the AI for brainstorming:
- "Now that I have a draft of my 'Why,' how can I better align my current work with this purpose?"
- "Let's brainstorm some personal project ideas that would be a powerful expression of my 'Why.'"
- "How can I use my 'Why' to guide my interactions and be a more intentional friend and family member?"
By thoughtfully engaging with AI as a tool for self-reflection, you can unlock profound insights into what truly drives you. While the technology is a powerful facilitator, remember that this is your journey. The AI is a mirror, reflecting your own experiences and values back to you with newfound clarity. The final authority on your "Why" will always be you.
By Ibrahima Faye
Tech Architect & AI Visionary
With over 25 years of experience in the IT industry, Ibrahima has built a diverse and extensive career that spans software engineering, system design, data architecture, business intelligence, artificial intelligence, and solution architecture.
Throughout this journey, he has honed a deep understanding of how to integrate cutting-edge technologies with business needs to craft scalable, efficient, and future-proof solutions. Passionate about AI and its transformative potential, Ibrahima is a thought leader dedicated to exploring the intersection of technology and innovation, consistently delivering solutions that drive value and solve complex challenges.