what versus why

Ask yourself these questions below.

​Pause between each and reflect on what question you gravitate towards.

Why is it happening?

What is happening?

Is it the why or the what question?

Which question gave you more information about yourself?

Over this past week, I've been playing with both of these questions and here is what I found for myself...


The why question is a need to fix something.

The what question is more expansive and gives me more information on what is possible.

The why question is looking at one single aspect of me and potentially a problem. For example, an issue with a specific part of my body or my ability to do something. The why question is laser focused.

Compared to the what question, it has a wider and zoomed out view that can provide many options and may show me my capacity for these options.

The why question could stand out as very one dimensional and may almost tell you nothing of substance. The answers that come with the what question are greater and more expansive of the context.

The more I worked through these questions I started to feel the pull of a negative, fixed mindset versus a positive, growth mindset. Do you feel that?


You may guess that I gravitated towards the what question. It wasn't instant. As I took time with the questions, I started to shift my perspective. I'm a lover of data and research and those are usually the answers I want from asking the why question. Yet, the what question gave me so much more.

I am not saying I will give up the why question.

Heck no!

You know that I love the "why do you move" question. It helps you find purpose in your physical activity and exercise.

However, this week it might be time to ask yourself the "what is happening" question. In any and all areas of life. And see what answers you come up with for yourself.

Stay well and happy moving,

Lisa