Find Your Why: Embracing Your Purpose and Stand for a Fulfilling Life

How to align your values and beliefs for a life of clarity, purpose and motivation, inspired by the principles of Bushido and the mindset of Navy SEALs.

Gene Crawford
7 min readMar 14, 2023

Matters of great concern should be treated lightly.
Matters of small concern should be treated seriously.

The Hagakure, Yamamoto Tsunetomo

In today’s fast-paced world, it can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and lose sight of what truly matters to us. That’s why it’s crucial to take a step back and identify our purpose, or our “why”. Understanding why we do what we do can provide us with clarity, direction, and motivation to achieve our goals.

“Find your why” is a phrase used by Navy SEALs to encourage people to determine their purpose or motivation for doing something. In other words “What you stand for.” It refers to the idea that having a clear understanding of one’s reasons for pursuing a goal is critical to achieving it and staying motivated. The phrase encourages individuals to identify and focus on their core values and beliefs in order to find direction and meaning in their life. Their “Stand”.

Mark Divine, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL and founder of the SEALFIT training program, is a firm believer in the importance of having a clear understanding of one’s purpose. He explains that having a strong sense of purpose can drive individuals to achieve their goals and overcome obstacles. By living a life aligned with our values and beliefs, we can achieve a greater sense of fulfillment and meaning in our lives.

Finding your “why” is not something that can be done overnight. It involves a process of introspection and self-discovery. To begin, ask yourself questions such as “What do I value most in life?” or “What am I most passionate about?” Write down your answers and reflect on what they say about your priorities and what you want to achieve in life.

Another helpful exercise is to identify your core values. These are the principles that guide your decisions and actions. Write down a list of values that are important to you, such as honesty, kindness, or compassion. Reflect on how these values have shaped your life and what kind of person you want to be.

Once you have identified your purpose and values, it’s time to put them into action. Make a plan to incorporate your values into your daily life, and set goals that align with your “why”. Whether it’s volunteering, pursuing a new hobby, or simply living each day with intention, find ways to live a life that is meaningful and fulfilling to you.

Maximizing Your Stand with Proactive Thinking

To make the most of your stand, it’s essential to prepare for the big challenges that may arise in your life. By taking the time to reflect on the various aspects of your life, such as your family, business, personal life, and relationships, you can gain a deeper understanding of the issues and develop a plan for resolving them.

To do this effectively, it’s important to envision what kind of resolution you would bring to each situation, taking into consideration three key elements. This process allows you to approach the issues with a clear mind, free from the influence of emotions or the pressure of time constraints.

By meditating on these issues beforehand, you can gain a better understanding of your reactions and the best way to handle conflicts when they arise. This proactive approach can help you make the most of your stand and ensure that you are prepared to handle whatever challenges come your way.

Samurai Warrior

When you do this, you can handle heavy things lightly when they come up because you will already know which way your compass points, and your decisions will be effortless. It’s difficult or almost impossible to do this without the proper thought and resolve beforehand.

The Power of Having a Central Stand: Embracing the Principles of Bushido

One of the greatest benefits of having a clear understanding of your stand is that it provides a foundation for guiding all of your actions. In the way of the Samurai, known as Bushido, there are three core principles that make up the central stand: Truthfulness, Honor, and Loyalty. Adopting these principles into your life can be a challenging journey, but one that is well worth the effort.

Maintaining Truthfulness, Honor, and Loyalty in everything you do can be a difficult task. It requires a great deal of discipline and a commitment to upholding these values in even the most challenging of circumstances. But by doing so, you are developing a moral compass that can guide you through life and provide you with the clarity and direction you need to make difficult decisions.

The concept of Bushido has been a source of inspiration for generations, and it continues to inspire people today. By embracing these principles, you can cultivate a sense of purpose and meaning in your life, and you can live each day with a sense of honor and integrity. Whether you are making decisions in your personal life or in your professional life, these principles can provide you with the guidance you need to make choices that are in line with your values and beliefs.

A samurai who knows what they stand for will never falter, even in the face of death. — Samurai Quote

Of course, adopting these principles is not easy, and it takes a great deal of effort and commitment. But by taking the time to reflect on what they mean to you and how they can be incorporated into your life, you can begin to understand their power and their potential to transform your life.

Navy Seals are renowned for their decisiveness and their ability to make quick and important decisions even in the most challenging of circumstances. This skill extends to other parts of their lives as well, as they have a deep understanding of who they are and what they stand for. In the words of Mark Divine, a leader in the field of personal development, “Warriors have a good understanding of who they are and what they stand for.”

According to Coach Divine, the key to effectively utilizing your stand is to think through the big issues in your life before they happen. This means taking the time to reflect on your job, your business, your personal life, and your relationships, envisioning what kind of resolution you would bring to each situation. By doing this, you can understand the issues behind a problem better, and more importantly, understand and guide your reactions without the lens of emotion or haste.

According to the Samurai code of Bushido, your “stand” is made up of three core elements; truthfulness, honor, and loyalty. When you meditate on these elements, you can arrive at a deeper understanding of who you are and what you stand for. This understanding can provide you with a sense of clarity and direction and can help you navigate the challenges and conflicts that life inevitably presents.

The greatest warrior is not one who always wins, but one who stands up time and time again, knowing the cost of defeat. — Samurai Quote

In times of stress or conflict, it can be easy to let your emotions guide your actions. However, by taking the time to reflect on your stand before these situations arise, you will have a clear understanding of what is important to you and what kind of resolution you want to bring to the situation. This will allow you to make decisions from a place of clarity, rather than from a place of fear or emotion.

One of the benefits of having a clear understanding of your stand is that it can make handling the heavy things in life easier. When you know which way your compass points, your decisions will be effortless and in line with your values and beliefs. This can provide you with a sense of peace and confidence and can help you navigate even the most challenging of circumstances.

Understanding your stand is an important aspect of personal development, and can provide you with the clarity and direction you need to navigate the challenges and conflicts that life presents. As Coach Divine reminds us, taking the time to meditate on your job, your business, your personal life, and your relationships, and envisioning what kind of resolution you would bring to each situation, can help you arrive at a deeper understanding of who you are and what you stand for, and can help you make decisions with confidence and ease.

Brief

This post emphasizes the significance of finding one’s purpose or “why” in life. It explains the concept, benefits, and process of discovering one’s why and offers tips for introspection and self-discovery. Highlighting the power of values and proactive thinking. Emphasizing the importance of a clear understanding of purpose in life and its impact on decision-making and well-being.

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Discovering your purpose in life can bring clarity, direction, and motivation. Here’s some tips on self-discovery and embracing the values of Bushido to live a life guided by purpose. Making proactive choices and being prepared for challenges can lead to overall happiness.

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Gene Crawford

Sensei, Blackbelt in Karate, CrossFit, BJJ Practitioner. Gym Owner at Warrior Fitness. Co-founder of SOCO & Period Three a web design firm.