One of the first pieces of constructive feedback I received as a graduate was to always understand the why behind any task or instruction. I was taught not to simply execute, but to pause, reflect, and ask: Why am I doing this?

At the time, I struggled to grasp the significance of that advice. To deepen my understanding, I picked up a copy of Simon Sinek’s Start with Why. In it, Sinek introduces the concept of the “Golden Circle,” which consists of three layers: the innermost circle represents why, the middle how, and the outer what. He argues that while many organizations can articulate what they do and how they do it, they often lose sight of why they do it. To be truly successful at anything, we must begin with and stay anchored to a clearly defined why.

Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the power of a strong purpose. A well‑defined why, the underlying reason behind your actions, can be transformative. It connects your work to something greater than yourself. And when challenges inevitably arise, it’s your why that keeps you grounded and motivated. It’s the reason you start, and the reason you persist.

Robert T. Kiyosaki captures this truth in Rich Dad Poor Dad: “Without a strong reason or purpose, anything in life is hard.”

Whenever I feel like giving up, I return to my why. If it’s compelling enough, it becomes a source of strength and momentum. Daniel Pink echoes this in Drive, where he identifies purpose as one of the three key drivers of human motivation.

Phil Knight’s Shoe Dog also left a lasting impression on me. I remember highlighting this line while reading: “Seek a calling, or a purpose… If you truly believe in what you are doing, you will be highly successful at it. You will want to dedicate every minute of every day to that initiative.”

These are words I live by. They’re the reason I’ve chosen to pause and reflect deeply on why I’m doing this — not just to share my thoughts, but to offer my experiences in the hope that they resonate, inspire, or help others navigate their own journey.

I am doing this to empower young professionals with the insights I wish I’d had when starting out. My content isn’t a blueprint for guaranteed success: it’s a collection of hard-earned lessons, personal experiences, and honest reflections from the road I’m still traveling. I share it not because I have all the answers, but because I know how valuable it is to hear from someone who’s walked the path.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt a burning desire to make this knowledge public, knowledge that could have made my own journey less daunting, more intentional, and perhaps even more fulfilling. Over time, I’ve gathered insights through experience, setbacks, and growth. Now, I feel a genuine responsibility to pass them on — not to showcase expertise, but to offer support, spark motivation, and help others rise above the everyday challenges of the workplace.

My hope is that others can learn from my story and use it to reach even greater heights. As Sir Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” I’ve stood on many shoulders. Now, I want to offer mine.

In essence, I’m sharing the best of what I’ve learned (and continue to learn) as a young professional navigating the climb. Having gained some altitude on my own career “mountain,” I want to help others ascend theirs. This initiative is my way of reaching beyond the walls of my workplace, beyond conversations with friends and colleagues, to connect with a broader audience across the globe.

Ultimately, I dream of writing and publishing my own book one day. That vision excites me, but it also feels daunting. So I’ve chosen this as my starting point: a way to take meaningful steps toward that goal, one story, one insight, one post at a time.

Samuel Johnson once said, “The greatest part of a writer’s time is spent reading. In order to write; a man will turn over half a library to make one book.”

I wasn’t much of a reader growing up, but that changed later in life. These days, I read often — and more often than not, you’ll notice me quoting authors whose words have stayed with me. When I come across insights that resonate with the topics I write about, I try to weave them into my personal experiences. It’s my way of connecting ideas, honoring the thinkers who’ve shaped my perspective, and offering something that might inform, encourage, or inspire.

As Pericles once said, “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” I believe our true legacy lies in what we teach, share, and pass on. If something I share helps someone navigate a challenge, shift their perspective, or feel more equipped, even if that someone is my own children one day, then I’ll know this work mattered.