In network marketing, we often hear the question, “What is your why?” But have you ever truly considered what that question means to you as an individual or how to determine the answer?

This is not a question we hear from the guidance counselor when enrolling in college or from the HR director during job interviews. So, to encounter it while looking to start a home business may catch us by surprise, and the answer we provide might not be accurate. If we do not understand our WHY, we are likely to repeat some of the same mistakes that have caused us frustration in the past, such as failing to achieve our goals, quitting at the first sign of rejection, or worse, disappearing entirely because we don’t want others to think we have failed once again.

So, how can we discover the true answer to the question, “What is your WHY?” I suggest we begin by understanding what the fundamental question is asking.

Bestselling author Rick Warren calls it “Purpose,” the Hebrew language refers to it as “Chazown,” and religious organizations consider it your “mission or calling” in life. Regardless of the terminology, the desire to achieve something greater than oneself is at the core of all human needs.

In his bestselling book Start With Why, Simon Sinek provides straightforward strategies for defining our WHY!

1. Clarity—You must understand completely why you are moving to a new company or starting a home-based business in the first place. And don’t say, “To get rich quick!”

Saying “I want to be rich or make more money” is not the real reason! Take some time to ask yourself deeper questions. What does being RICH mean to you? Define it. How much more MONEY do you want to earn, and what will you do with it? I’ve found that money is always the vehicle for something far more critical. To gain the clarity you need to define your WHY!

• How – People who jump from company to company, system to system, or income stream to income stream do so because they lack clarity about their why. However, once you gain that clarity, you must also understand how you will achieve your why, which requires delving deeper into your values and principles—something you may not have considered much until now.

How is the vehicle you’ve chosen to reach your WHY? In most cases, because we do not fully understand our WHY, we use the wrong vehicle to try to reach our destination. Whatever company, organization, team, or system you use to reach your WHY must align with your values and principles. When we attempt to reach our WHY while going against our internal compass, we shut down; when you realize you’re in the wrong environment, don’t stop pursuing your WHY; change to one that supports your values and principles. In many cases, none of us realize we’re in the wrong environment until we gain clarity about our WHY!

• What – Once you have clarity about your WHY and understand HOW you plan to achieve it, you need to consider what others perceive. Your WHY represents your belief in accomplishing something greater than yourself. Your HOW refers to the actions you take daily to realize your WHY. However, if people do not perceive that WHAT you say and do align consistently, you will not reach your WHY, as people will not be drawn to your team or products.

So, take time today to clarify your true driving force for succeeding in a home-based business. Once you’ve figured out your real WHY, ask yourself: “If money were not a concern, what would you want to do daily to fulfill your WHY?” Now, go find an income opportunity that allows you to enjoy your passions while fulfilling your WHY!

And if you can’t find the right income opportunity… Then create it!