5 Wise Whys - Journaling Tool

Underlying all actions, reactions, thoughts and emotions, a cause or an essence wants to come through.

“Men are more accountable for their motives than for anything else….” – Archibald Alexander

WHY questions delve deeply into our main motives – why we do what we do. This process helps us go deeper into our reasoning, habits and unconscious beliefs.

This tool invites you to ask and answer a series of 5 WHY questions. For each answer that comes up, ask “Why?” to that answer. Do this process at least 5 times till you reach a deeper level of truth or essence.

EXERCISES

Getting started:

• Pick an activity you performed over the last 2 days. Ask yourself, “Why did I do this activity?” Once you’ve answered, ask “Why?” to the answer you just gave. Continue to ask “Why?” to your answers until you’ve gained a deeper understanding of your motives for doing things.

Go deeper:

• What excuse do you use most often? Write it down in your journal. Ask yourself the 5 Why’s around that excuse. What insights arise that help you understand why you make excuses to prevent yourself from moving forward? Just being aware of our defences helps us work through them.

Reach higher:

• Ask yourself, “What is (or might be) my life purpose?” When you get an answer, ask, “Why do I want to…. (enter the answer you just gave).” Ask WHY at least 5 times, until you run out of answers.

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