The ‘why’, part 2

There are situations where we can ask why:

1. doing and knowing the ‘why’ – good guy
2. doing and not knowing the ‘why’ – dumb follower
3. not doing but knowing the ‘why’ (knowing the ‘how’) – problematic
4. not doing and not knowing the ‘why’ – rebel

Version 1 is the best one to have – I know the reason why I want to do something, I know the end result I want to achieve and then I just do it. I believe this is the ideal goal for every one of us – knowing the ‘why’ behind everything I do, even behind the bad things I do. If I know why I made that mistake, though the knowledge may also come later, then in future I could possibly avoid it or I get to know how I must change myself. And, like Bible says, when I see danger approaching I could just run away and avoid it (this applies to temptations).

Versions 2 and 3 are harder nuts to crack. While 2nd just requires a timeout and think about the reasons and actions, 3rd in my opinion requires some deeper digging in ones mind. Best example here might be some addiction I have. Let’s just say it’s weight (very real problem for very big part of population) or smoking (more destructive for other people). Here comes into play another question – how? If anyone ever has tried to get rid of some bad habit, then they all know the ‘how’. I know dozens of methods how to lose weight (not to eat fatty foods, not to eat before going to sleep, couple of hours of aerobic exercise every week etc), but the ‘why’ inside is not strong enough to actually go out and do it. I do know what I have to do to finish my school (take few exams and write diploma), but what I need is the ‘why’. And the why must be way stronger than my laziness and plethora of excuses that seem to come from nowhere (and very fast!). There are always multiple (and even very simple) solutions to problems – many are just ‘don’t do this’ (to stop smoking, I just do it – I don’t smoke. To lose weight – just don’t eat. How much easier can it be?), but ‘why’ behind it is not strong enough. I think this problem is an everlasting quest for motivation. And where do I find the motivation to look for motivation?

4 might be easy answer or hard problem, depending on situation. It’s easy when it applies to myself, or things I thought of doing for myself (building a 10m high matchstick-house). It’s hard when this is a thing you must do, but you don’t understand why. Could even happen in work. Then, I believe, you have 2 choices, you either (1) don’t do it and explain your action to your boss, or (2) be humble and do it (in this case the ‘why’ is the order from boss). In army usually good guys where in 2nd category (obeying orders, tho not knowing the reasoning) and bad guys where 4th category (rebels), though finally (maybe after 150 push-ups or so) you anyway obeyed the order.