Who are you doing it for?

The next time you read any book, I suggest that you start by reading my favorite section. The Acknowledgements section.

To me, it’s a poignant reminder that the author recognizes that she couldn’t do it without support. Even though the actual writing process was a solitary activity, she was doing it for someone.

When you read the acknowledgements section, it makes you ask yourself :

Who are you doing it for?

In your day to day, you normally don’t think to answer this question. There are a million demands on your time. You might have to send out that proposal. Or you might have to rush to go to the gym. Or you might have to cook dinner after a long day at the office.

But every once in a while, it’s nice to step back and ask yourself : Who are you doing it for? Maybe you’re writing that proposal to help your boss get a promotion. Maybe you’re going to the gym so that you can be fully present for your children. Or maybe you’re cooking dinner because you want to make your partner smile.

When we forget who we’re doing it for, it’s easy to get resentful. It’s easy to criticize and complain when you don’t get help. It’s easy to get caught in a mindset of “Why am I always working?”.

But when you remember who’s it for, you get a tremendous burst of energy. You become a larger person. You feel motivated to do more. To have more. To be more.

And that’s reward enough.

So… who are you doing it for?