Uncover what motivates your goal
Clarify the deeper reason behind what you’re aiming for.
You’ve captured your goal. Now uncover what’s driving it. Why do you want this outcome? What do you hope it will bring you?
Ask “why” repeatedly until you uncover what drives your goal. Each layer brings you closer to the motivation that comes from within, the part that reflects what matters to you. If you find several reasons, focus on the one that feels strongest or most central. Keep asking “why” until you reach something true to who you are, a value or need that doesn’t require further explanation. That’s your core motivation. When you connect your goal to that deeper reason, your effort gains clarity, energy, and purpose.
Uncovering your core motivation is like excavating an archaeological site. Careful digging reveals the foundations and treasures hidden beneath the surface.
Here’s how this might look in practice.
👉 Let’s say someone wants to lose 10 pounds in 3 months.
Why do I want to lose 10 pounds? To be healthier.
Why do I want to be healthier? To live longer.
Why do I want to live longer? To see my grandchildren grow up.
Why do I want to see my grandchildren grow up? Because family matters to me.
Why does family matter to me? Because it’s part of who I am.
Here, the goal of losing weight ties to living a long, full life with loved ones.
👉 Now let’s look at another example. Someone else also wants to lose 10 pounds in 3 months.
Why do I want to lose 10 pounds? To feel more confident.
Why do I want to feel more confident? To build stronger relationships.
Why do I want stronger relationships? Because connecting with others makes life meaningful.
Notice how the same goal can come from completely different motivations. Here, the goal is about the deeper motivation of connecting with others, which makes life more fulfilling.
Your core motivation is the reason this goal matters to you. It gives your efforts purpose and guides the choices you make. When your “why” is strong, it keeps you moving forward, even when challenges arise.
✏️ Dig into your goal by asking “why” until you uncover the reason that matters most. This is your core motivation. Write your goal, which you captured here, and core motivation like this:
I want to [what you want to achieve] because [your core motivation].
Troubleshooting
If you're having trouble uncovering your core motivation, try one or more of these questions to dig deeper and discover what drives you.
🤔 What difference would achieving this goal make in my life?
This helps you connect the goal to a meaningful change, whether it is feeling more energized, strengthening relationships, building a skill, or gaining confidence in your abilities.
🤔 How would achieving this goal help me or the people around me?
Thinking about this shows how your goal benefits both you and those close to you and adds motivation along with a sense of responsibility.
🤔 What would I be able to think, feel, or do once I achieve this goal?
This helps you imagine the changes in your life, from emotions to actions, that come from reaching the goal.
🤔 What basic need or personal value would achieving this goal fulfill for me?
Reflecting on this ensures your goal aligns with what matters to you and supports your needs and personal values.
People have three basic psychological needs that fuel motivation, so your goal might connect to one or more of them:
👉 Autonomy – feeling free to make your own choices and act in ways that reflect who you are
👉 Competence – feeling capable, effective, and able to develop meaningful skills
👉 Relatedness – feeling connected to others and having a sense of belonging
The miracle question
Imagine this. Tonight, while you’re asleep, a miracle happens. When you wake up tomorrow, your goal is already achieved, but you don’t know a miracle occurred.
🤔 What would be different in your life? What would you notice? What would others notice?
This question helps you picture the deeper outcome you’re after. It moves your focus from the surface goal to the experience or change you want. You might realize your real aim is not the goal itself but what it represents, like greater confidence, more freedom, or stronger relationships. Visualizing life after success helps you uncover the deeper motivation behind your goal and connect it to your core why.
🎉👏🎈
Once you know what motivates your goal, the next step is to find the best goal that meets your motivation.
Related articles
You might find these related articles helpful:
🔗 How to replace a bad habit by understanding its underlying motive
🔗 What you think you want is not what you really want
