Finding My WHY: A Journey Through Focus and Purpose

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Younes Baghor - WebWizArt
8 min read  •  Oct 04, 2024

This journey of self-discovery and focus is one that many of us in the tech world can relate to, and it’s time to share my story and the steps I took.

source: Nano Banana

As an entrepreneur, I’ve found myself at a crossroads. Sitting at my desk, surrounded by screens filled with tasks, to-dos, notes, ideas, and half-written article drafts, I’ve realized that I’ve lost my focus. I’ve been trying everything — Facebook, newsletters, YouTube videos, LinkedIn posts, create AI training for entrepreneurs, e-books, cold emails — you name it. Sound familiar?

This realization coincided with my frustration with chasing platform algorithms and analytics, which you can read about in my article,
From Chasing Algorithms to Authentic Connections: My Social Media Journey.

The Power of Laser Focus: Three Defining Moments

Reflecting on my past, I recall three instances where I had laser-like focus. These moments, seemingly unrelated, would later become the foundation of my quest for purpose.

The first time was when I was 26. Picture this: a hotel manager with a background in restaurants, bars, and even nightclubs, suddenly deciding to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Sounds crazy, right? But for someone who started as a welder building trucks and fixing containers, career changes were nothing new.

In 2007, I embarked on this academic journey with a goal that might make you chuckle. I wanted to work in ICT, sitting at a desk, able to work from home in my underwear. Yes, you read that right. A silly goal, perhaps, but it was enough to drive me through a 4-year program in just 3 years. By 2010, I was a proud graduate, ready to conquer the digital world (underwear optional).

The second burst of focus came right after graduation. I dove headfirst into the world of HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. I became so engrossed that I earned the nickname “HTML5 dude” and became a top voice on Google+ (remember that platform?). I attended meetups, participated in hackathons, wrote articles, and even reviewed books for Packt Publishing. My hunger for knowledge was insatiable. I consumed every bit of information I could find, determined to be the best in my field.

The third instance of laser focus was when my wife and I bought a house in Belgium. Now, we’re not talking about a simple fixer-upper. This was a complete overhaul. Picture this: a couple stripping a house down to its bare bones, rebuilding it from scratch while living in it. We’re talking about pouring concrete, installing gas, water, and electricity, and even building a 12m by 6m extension (kudos to my wife for laying every brick herself!). For two years, our lives revolved around this project. We had a clear goal: create a new home for our family. With our old house sold, we had a deadline that kept us focused and determined.

The Search for Purpose in the Digital Age

Analyzing these events, I realized the importance of having a clear “WHY.” Every time I had a clear goal, not a path because the path evolved on the way, but I had goals and at least some milestones. This epiphany coincided with my exploration of the OKR framework, described by Wikipedia as:

“Objectives and key results (OKR, alternatively OKRs) is a goal-setting framework used by individuals, teams, and organizations to define measurable goals and track their outcomes…. The development of OKR is generally attributed to Andrew Grove who introduced the approach to Intel in the 1970s and documented the framework in his 1983 book High Output Management.”

My initial source was a video from MIT Sloan with John Doerr. A part of the video emphasized that the most important aspect of OKR is knowing the “WHY.” This clicked, connecting with concepts like Simon Sinek’s “Find Your Why” and the Japanese idea of Ikigai.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines ikigai as “a motivating force; something or someone that gives a person a sense of purpose or a reason for living”. More generally, it may refer to something that brings pleasure or fulfillment.

The AI-Guided Reflection Process

As an AI strategist, I naturally turned to AI for help. I opened Perplexity, selected Claude 3.5, and started a new conversation with the following prompt:

“Help me find my reason in life, my Why, my Ikigai. Guide me through this process ask me questions to be able to define this.”

I provided Claude with the context of my story so far, aiming to become the best AI Consultant/Strategist people would call for their projects. This ambitious goal was inspired by another video, The Fastest Way To Achieve Literally Anything (You’ll Never Feel Lost Again), which delves into the psychology of achievement.

And of course Claude happy to help and asked me 13 thought-provoking questions:

  1. What do you love? What activities make you lose track of time?
  2. What are you naturally good at? What skills come easily to you?
  3. What does the world need that you feel passionate about addressing?
  4. What experiences in your life have been most meaningful or fulfilling?
  5. When have you felt most alive or energized in your work or personal life?
  6. What problems do you find yourself consistently drawn to solving?
  7. If money were no object, what would you spend your time doing?
  8. What unique perspective or value do you bring to your work and relationships?
  9. What legacy would you like to leave behind?
  10. How do your past experiences in web development, digital transformation, and UX inform your current aspirations in AI?
  11. What aspects of AI excite you the most, and why?
  12. How do you envision using your skills and knowledge in AI to make a positive impact?
  13. What values are most important to you, and how do you see them aligning with your work in AI?

Discovering My WHY in the AI Era

After careful consideration, I arrived at my personal WHY:

“WHY? To leverage my diverse experiences and passion for technology to guide individuals and organizations through the AI revolution, simplifying complex concepts and fostering innovation.

By doing so, I aim to achieve and maintain financial independence, allowing me to live freely, support my family’s future, and be a positive force in the lives of others, all while staying true to my values as a devoted family man and lifelong learner.”

While reading it I was even a little touched, because it is exactly what I want to achieve in work and life.

Setting Objectives and Key Results for the Future

With my WHY defined, I set three main objectives:

  1. Establish myself as a respected AI consultant and thought leader
  2. Achieve and maintain financial independence through my AI consulting work
  3. Create a work-life balance that allows quality time with family and personal growth

For each objective, I created specific, actionable short-term goals using the SMART criteria: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Here are some examples:

“Establish myself as a respected AI consultant and thought leader”:

“Achieve financial independence through AI consulting”:

“Create work-life balance”:

Staying on Track

To maintain focus, I created a set of questions to ask myself before taking on new projects or tasks:

  1. Does this align with my expertise in technology and AI?
  2. Will this help me achieve or maintain financial independence?
  3. Does this allow me to support my family’s future?
  4. Am I making a positive impact and helping others?
  5. Does this maintain a balance between my professional and personal life?

The Results

Since implementing this approach, I’ve felt more focused and purposeful than ever before.

I printed all these Objectives and Key Results, displaying them prominently in my office. By using a strict working schema and the Pomodoro technique, I’ve become more productive and efficient.

Most importantly, I no longer feel lost or like I’m wasting time. Everything I do is in service of my objectives, and I’ve found more time for my loved ones and personal hobbies like video games and reading.

This journey of self-discovery and goal-setting has transformed my approach to work and life. By finding my WHY and implementing a structured framework, I’ve regained the laser focus that once drove my biggest accomplishments. Now, I’m ready to tackle the exciting world of AI with renewed purpose and clarity.

As we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and technology, finding our personal WHY becomes more crucial than ever. I encourage you to embark on your own journey of self-discovery, using the questions and framework I’ve shared. In doing so, you might just find the focus and purpose needed to thrive in this new era of innovation.

To conclude this article, I’d like to invite you to share your thoughts and experiences. Have you ever felt lost in your career or personal life? Have you found your own “WHY” or are you still searching?

Let’s help each other

I believe that sharing our journeys can inspire and help others who might be facing similar challenges. If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing it with friends, colleagues, or anyone you think might benefit from exploring their own purpose and goals.

Your experiences and insights are valuable, and I’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Let’s start a conversation about finding focus and purpose in our rapidly changing digital landscape.