The Journey Begins with Why
We’re kicking off the Purpose Reading Journey with a powerful question:
Why do you do what you do?
That’s the core of Simon Sinek’s bestselling book, Start With Why. And it’s a question I’ve started asking myself and my clients in a much deeper way — whether we’re talking about building a business, preparing for retirement, or planning major financial decisions.
The truth is, most financial plans — including many of mine in the past — have started with the what. What do you want to earn? What do you want to buy? What do you want to save?
That approach isn’t wrong — it’s measurable and practical. But in my experience, starting with what can only take you so far.
If you don’t understand why you’re making sacrifices, setting goals, or delaying gratification, it’s easy to feel stuck — or end up pursuing goals that aren’t personally meaningful.
That’s why we’re shifting the conversation. Going forward, we’re designing financial plans that start with purpose — your why — and allowing the numbers to support that vision.
Sinek explains that the most influential leaders and businesses don’t just know what they do or how they do it — they’re crystal clear on why they exist. That same logic applies to your financial life.
How This Applies to You
As a business owner, entrepreneur, or professional, you likely know your numbers — your revenue, your expenses, your tax deadlines.
But here’s the question I want to ask you:
What’s it all for?
Why do you run your business the way you do?
Why are you saving what you’re saving?
Why do you want to retire at a certain age or buy that property?
Why does it matter to pass wealth on to the next generation — or not?
These aren’t easy questions. But they are essential.
If you’ve worked with a financial professional before, your plan probably started with what — and maybe how. But without understanding why you want those outcomes, even the best strategy can feel disconnected.
That’s why this journey matters. Because:
Sometimes I see strong balance sheets with no clear direction.
Sometimes I see modest resources paired with incredible clarity.
The difference isn’t in the dollars — it’s in the purpose. Without it, even the best financial strategy may fall short of bringing fulfillment.
Here are a few questions to reflect on:
What do I want my money to help me accomplish — not just financially, but personally?
If I had more freedom, how would I use it?
What values should my financial life reflect?
What would success look like, even without major changes in income or assets?
There are no right or wrong answers — only the one that fits your life best.
Why This Matters for Clients
If you're one of my investment clients, this may feel like a shift — from focusing primarily on financial goals to exploring the purpose behind those goals. But this isn’t a departure from financial planning. It’s a deepening of it.
This is the evolution of how I serve clients going forward. We're not just managing portfolios — we’re aligning your strategy with what matters most to you.
And if you're currently a tax client, this may be the perfect opportunity to take our work to the next level. Tax planning and preparation are still foundational — but they’re part of a bigger picture. By integrating investment strategy, tax efficiency, and personal clarity, we can create a plan that works harder and smarter for your life.
Whether you’re starting with investments, taxes, or both, our goal is the same: to help you make confident, informed financial decisions rooted in clarity and purpose.
Reflections from the Book
Simon Sinek’s Start With Why offers several key insights that apply directly to your financial life:
1. The Golden Circle: Why > How > What
People and businesses often focus on what they do, but true impact comes from knowing why you do it first. Then you can build the how and the what around it.
2. People don’t buy what you do — they buy why you do it
This speaks not just to marketing, but to personal motivation. You’re more likely to stay committed to your plan when it’s anchored in something meaningful.
3. Trust comes from clarity of purpose
That’s true in leadership, and it’s true in your personal finances. Clear purpose helps align your decisions and build long-term confidence.
Why It Matters to Financial Planning
This book reminded me that financial clarity goes beyond the numbers. It starts with knowing what you’re working toward.
As both a CPA and financial advisor, I’ve had the opportunity to review hundreds of financial lives. Most people have no problem telling me what they’ve earned or saved, or the age they’d like to retire.
But when I ask about the deeper purpose behind it all — what they truly want their money to do — that’s often where the conversation pauses.
And that’s okay. That’s where the real work begins.
Start With Why gives us a simple way to explore that. Not to change everything overnight — but to point your plan in the right direction.
To support this, we’re now making your “why” a formal part of your plan. It will be recorded in your Asset-Map and reviewed periodically to make sure your financial strategy continues to reflect what’s most important to you.
Stewardship Starts with Purpose
This approach also reinforces one of our core beliefs at Adair Advisory Group: stewardship.
Stewardship is about using your resources — time, money, energy — with intention. It’s not about perfection. It’s about alignment.
When you understand your “why,” every financial decision becomes easier to evaluate. You become a better steward of your resources, and your financial plan becomes a tool to help you live according to your values.
This builds on the ideas shared in The Collector and the Guide, which explored the difference between simply accumulating wealth and living with direction.
What’s Next on the Journey?
As we move into a new year, we’ll shift from purpose to practice. In January, we’ll dive into Atomic Habits by James Clear — a book about how small, consistent actions can drive big, long-term results.
What better way to start 2026 than by making sure your habits reflect your purpose?
I’ll share takeaways from that book next month. In the meantime, take a moment to reflect:
What’s your why?
And is your current financial plan helping you live it?
Let’s Talk About Your Why
If you're ready to build a financial plan that reflects your values and goals — not just your numbers — let’s connect.
We’ll start with a conversation about what matters most to you. Then we’ll design a personalized strategy that integrates purpose, planning, and progress.
Schedule your consultation today.
Part of the Purpose Reading Journey Series
December 2025: Start With Why by Simon Sinek
January 2026: Atomic Habits by James Clear