What Is Your Why?

by Melanie Banayat

If you are a busy entrepreneur I'm sure you’ve probably heard this question before – What is your WHY?   Well, I felt inspired to revisit the idea today after my Skype video conference call with my kids.

A very large part of my WHY started 18 years ago when I gave birth to my daughter Mikhaila and again with my son Dakota another 3.5 years later.  I can’t believe they are now 18 and almost 15.  They have both grown into such talented and interesting people; it feels good to be their mom.

There are always choices to be made in life – from little ones like what to have for lunch to the big ones like what to choose for your profession.  My kids have been a big consideration in how my career choices have played out – always behind the WHY of my decisions.

When I, myself, was only 18 years old I started up my first “official” business as a graphic designer.  I have had an entrepreneurial heart from about the age of 10 or 11.  I don’t know exactly what it was back then that interested me in doing my own thing, but I just knew that I didn’t want to have a “Job”.  I suppose it’s because that’s what my mother had and every single day she came home complaining.  I guess at that point in time I could say that my WHY was that I didn’t want to end each and every one of my workdays complaining and unhappy.  I wanted to absolutely enjoy whatever I did with a great deal of passion.  I likened it to wanting to feel the way I felt whenever I danced, because when I danced I felt free, uninhibited, and able to move in whichever direction I wanted.

After my kids were born I decided that I wanted to set up my business so that I could be readily available for my kids.  My husband (at the time) ended up going into business with me, and for a period of time our kids went to a sitter while we operated our business at different locations.  It didn’t take long for me to get really tired of that set up.  That helped me make the decision – Being around for my kids became a big part of the WHY behind my decision-making.

We ended up selling that business and buying a new business that would allow us to have our kids with us at work, but then that even became more challenging the older they got and the more active they became.  I ended up having to hire a nanny.  Even though we were technically around each other, living and working in the same location, I rarely got to actually be with them. 

So eventually we changed the business model around a bit and hired someone else to take over several of my responsibilities in the company so I could spend more time with the kids.

Then in 2004 there was the ugly “fork in the road” decision that you may have heard about before.  I was getting divorced and had to decide between trying to build an art business, or get a (cover your ears) “traditional job”.  Both were scary to me, but the WHY’s leaned in favor of going for my own business (alone) over the perceived security of having a boss and benefits.

My key WHY was that I still wanted to be at home – even if I was working, so that I would remain readily available for my kids.

I also liked the idea of combining my business experience with my creative side – the idea of making a living as a professional "Fine Art" artist seemed too good to be true. Fortunately, that’s exactly what I did – and I loved it!  Then when my art business was threatened by the onset of rheumatoid arthritis I had another tough decision to face in my life.  What now?  I knew that no matter what I did I wanted flexibility in my time – I wanted to work on my own schedule and not have to worry about doctor’s appointments, sick days or time with my kids interfering with my job performance.

That’s when my life did another u-turn.  I focused on getting my self well again, and through that process I discovered a new passion-- a passion for healthy living.  Because when it came down to what my choices were in terms of what I could do for a living with RA taking over my body I decided – NO WAY!  This disease will not dictate my life!  My WHY grew some new legs – "help other women that have experienced similar challenges in life and help them get on a healthy, happy path".  My art business continues and it has expanded to complement my new business as a Holistic Health & Nutrition Coach.

Life has a funny, funny way of unfolding.  This opportunity to expand my WHY came at the perfect time.  With my daughter now entering her freshman year of college and my son his freshman year of high school, they are now a much smaller part of my WHY, but still a big part of why I have set up my business in such a way that would give me “location freedom” to be able to still be a witness to their lives. I am now newly married (to my wonderful dance partner) and living in Arizona. My daughter is going to college three states away and my son lives with his father two states away, yet I can still attend their track meets and cross-country running events without missing a day of work.

I guess I’m feeling a bit nostalgic, as both my kids and I have just moved into the next chapters of our lives.  I’m like a rambling mother but I guess the point I want to make is this – know what your WHY is for the big decisions in life and also, make sure they aren’t all about someone else.  If everything I did was for my kids, I’d be feeling very afraid of this next stage of life.  But because my WHY’s have been equally for me as an individual person, me as a mom, and me as someone who desires to have a positive impact in the world I think I’m going to be ok. :)

So what are your WHYs?

Here’s to your success and knowing why you are doing what you do!

If you liked this post please share it with your friends.

   Until next time,

   Dance, Love, Breathe, Live in the Moment!
   Melanie Banayat (aka, Miligirl)

   PS . . . Be sure to scroll down and check out all of
               my fabulous FREEBIES below!

CONNECT WITH ME
Phone: (928) 239-5656
www.MiligirlWellness.com
melanie@miligirl.com
 ______________________________________________________
ART GIVEAWAY!
Remember, not only am I a health coach, I'm also a professional artist. Be sure to check out my Art Giveaway Video on my blog to find out how you can win one of my limited edition fine art prints.  The more people that sign up for my newsletter the sooner I will be able to draw the name of the winner, so please tell everyone you know about it. I will draw a winner when my Newsletter & Facebook Fan Page reaches 500 subscribers.
______________________________________________________
ABOVE ARTWORK created by Melanie Banayat.  Title: Siesta de Domingo
Artwork Copyright 2007 Melanie Banayat
______________________________________________________
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
If you haven’t already…please subscribe to my monthly newsletter.
______________________________________________________
WHAT IS A HEALTH COACH?
What is the difference between a Holistic Health & Nutrition Coach and a licensed dietician or nutritionist?
______________________________________________________
RECIPE
Try this wonderful, quick and easy Orange & Walnut Quinoa recipe.  Prep Time: 5 min,  Total Cooking Time: 20 min.
______________________________________________________
Got a question? Ask Melanie Banayat!
Go ahead, ask me!  I’ll do my best to answer your question based on my knowledge & experience.
The more specific your question the better: 
“How do I lose 30 pounds?” That’s difficult to post an answer. 
“Which is better… Juicing or Blending?” That I can answer!