Power of Purpose
The Power of Purpose: What Desmond Doss Can Teach You About Finding Your Why
We all hit moments in life when we feel lost, stuck, or unsure of our direction. Maybe it’s in our career, our relationships, or just in the day-to-day grind of life. That’s why knowing your why—the deep reason that fuels everything you do—is so important.
But how do you actually find it?
Let’s start with a story.
The Unlikely Hero: Desmond Doss
Desmond Doss was a Marine Corps medic in World War II, but what made him remarkable was that he was a conscientious objector—a soldier who refused to carry a weapon.
Imagine that.
You’re in the middle of one of the most brutal wars in history, and the one guy in your unit responsible for saving your life won’t even carry a gun.
It’s hard to imagine the level of distrust he must have faced from his fellow soldiers. But despite that, he stood by his conviction. He believed that his purpose wasn’t to take lives—it was to save them.
Doss served in the Pacific, fighting in the brutal Battle of Okinawa at a place called Hacksaw Ridge. This wasn’t just a small hill—it was a sheer 400-foot cliff. To even reach the battlefield, soldiers had to climb cargo nets hand over hand. The top of the ridge was nothing but smoke, shattered trees, and enemy bunkers.
And when the battle turned against them, his fellow Marines were forced to retreat—scrambling back down those same cargo nets for safety.
But Doss didn’t leave.
Amid the explosions, gunfire, and chaos, he could still hear the cries of wounded soldiers who had been left behind.
So he stayed.
One by one, he dragged his fellow Marines to the edge of the cliff, tied them up, and lowered them down to safety—by himself. Each time he saved a man, he whispered a simple prayer:
“Please, Lord, let me get one more.”
By the time he was done, he had saved 75 men.
Seventy-five lives saved because one man refused to walk away.
What’s Your Why?
Now, most of us aren’t dodging bullets on a battlefield. But we are facing battles—at work, in our personal lives, and within ourselves.
And when things get tough, when the obstacles seem too big, when quitting feels like the only option, your why is what keeps you going.
Your why is the thing that fuels your ambition, your resilience, and your ability to push forward when everything else tells you to stop.
But here’s the thing—most people don’t know their why.
And if you don’t know your why, it’s easy to get stuck chasing the wrong things.
I know because I’ve been there.
The Danger of a “Soft Why”
For years, my why was…well, weak.
I call it a soft why. It wasn’t a deep sense of purpose. It wasn’t about making a real impact. It was just about getting ahead, making more money, and climbing the next rung of the ladder.
And let me tell you—when things got tough, that kind of why wasn’t strong enough to keep me in the game.
A soft why will let you quit the moment things get inconvenient.
A real why? That’s what keeps you fighting.
How to Find Your Why
Finding your why doesn’t happen in a 10-minute journaling session. It’s a process. It takes reflection, trial and error, and real introspection.
But you can start today with these steps:
- Reflect on What Excites You
What gets you fired up? What’s something you’d wake up early for, stay up late for, or do even if you weren’t getting paid? The things that light you up often point to your deeper purpose.
- Identify Your Core Values
Think about a pivotal moment in your life—good or bad. What did it teach you? What values surfaced from that experience? Your values often act as a compass for your why.
- Recognize Your Strengths
What are you naturally good at? What do people come to you for advice on? The things that come easily to you might be the key to how you can serve the world.
- Consider How You Serve Others
A powerful why isn’t just about you—it’s about impact. How does what you do make life better for others? This could be through your career, your relationships, or even small daily interactions.
- Craft a Why Statement
Take everything you’ve reflected on and turn it into a simple, powerful statement.
For example, my why is:
“Please, Lord, let me help just one more.”
That’s what drives me—helping people break through their own barriers, find clarity, and take action.
What’s yours?
Your Why Is Your Fuel
The truth is, there will be days when you want to quit. When it feels like the obstacles are too big.
But when you have a deep, unshakable why—something bigger than yourself—you’ll keep going.
Just like Desmond Doss did, one more time.
What’s Next?
If this post resonated with you, take some time to start exploring your why. And if you want to dive deeper, check out these resources:
📖 Start with Why by Simon Sinek (linked in show notes)
🎥 Hacksaw Ridge – A powerful film about Desmond Doss’s story
And if you want help finding your why, let’s talk. I work with individuals and teams to help them uncover their purpose and create real momentum.
Let’s make sure when life gets tough, you’ve got a why strong enough to keep you moving forward.