What is My “Why” For Freelance Writing?

Several years back business influencer, dynamic speaker and best-selling author Simon Sinek challenged millions of us to Find Your Why. Why are you doing what you do? What is your internal motivation in life, and how can you live that out in your life and your workplace?

In my family, my workplace, and my community, this is my Why: “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”—Philippians 2:3-4 (New Living Translation)

I’m embarking on this new-to-me service business but, as a career-long nurse by job title and temperament, this Scripture quote always has been my ideal, my Why. I bring the same Why into my freelance writing.

Most of us get into the nursing profession because we love people and want to help them. That, and the ever-evolving science involved, are enough to keep minds and hearts fully occupied for a long time. It’s a great calling for people who love others, love helping people, and are lifelong learners.

Nurses who can’t handle the exacting demands of their profession need to find something else to do—for their sake and, of course, for the sake of the people they’re supposed to serve to the best of their ability. Likewise for free-lance writers who can’t handle the exacting demands of their profession.

For nurses, whatever setting we’re in-–hospital, outpatient, or in someone’s home—we’re in the middle of the needs of our patients, their caregivers, and our employers. The requirements of doing a good job for all involved are sizeable, but very satisfying when achieved. It’s the same for us freelance writers—meeting client standards of quality, cooperation and timeliness are important as well. Probably not life-and-death important, but important nonetheless. They are not easy to achieve but, as with nursing, satisfying when done.  

I pledged to do my best to care for my patients, to educate them and their caregivers as to their disease processes and best practices for their care, and git’er done by the end of the work shift or day.

And that’s my pledge to my clients—do the work right, the way they want it, and produce it on time. These exacting standards have come about because of my Why.