Word to the Why's?

My friend told me about this concept called The 7 Layers of Why. It’s super helpful to figure out what you’re thinking. If you want to bring to light thoughts that you didn’t even know you had, that may be causing you problems, just ask, “Why?“.

Here’s an example from my experience:

1. I don’t want to work on my program. Why?

2. Because I don’t know where to start. Why?

3. Because I’m waiting for someone to tell me how to do it. Why?

4. Because I don’t want to waste time doing it wrong and then having to re-do it. Why?

5. Because I don’t want to fail. Why?

6. Because then I’ll feel bad about myself. Why?

7. Because I’ll think that I should have known better.

Well, I can see that that last thought is ridiculous. I may have that thought, but it doesn’t even make sense. How would I know better if I’ve never written a program before and no one is telling me how to do it. The only reason I’ll feel bad is if I think that thought. I know thoughts are optional, and that was seems ridiculous to me, so I’ll just choose to think, “Good for me for trying!” If I know that’s the thought I’ll have no matter the result, then it’s easier to get started writing my program.

Give it a try! Let me know your 7 Layers of “Why?“.