Starting with Why

I've put what I want to achieve in this world into words:

This statement consists of two parts (more about its construction below):

1. a contribution part (contribution to the life of others), and
2. an impact part (what it allows others to go on to do or be).

Let me elaborate on the parts.

Contribution: Empowering People

The current formulation reflects my perspective on today's world and society, which are undoubtedly undergoing a period of profound transformation. We are witnessing rapid technological advancements, including the rise of AI. At the same time there are pressing global challenges like climate change. Moreover, many societies are grappling with growing divisions, leaving numerous people with a pervasive sense of fear and uncertainty about the future, not just for themselves, but also for their loved ones.

Therefore, I want to empower people to keep up and participate in shaping the future.

Alongside this mission, I envision several ways how I can contribute, for example:

• enabling students by teaching and mentoring (Jugend Forscht, FSU Graduate Academy, etc.),
• making AI tangible and understandable for humans,
• creating and researching responsible AI solutions that respect human needs,
• crafting community experiences (for example, via magic).

The list goes on. I really love that I continually discover new ways of bringing my vision to life.

Impact: Preserving a Culture

A culture of human connection and compassion offers a powerful alternative to ingroup-outgroup thinking and mutual devaluation. It can create an inclusive sense of unity, not just among ourselves, but beyond when we also align our auxiliary systems (including AIs).

I also added human wondering to the impact part of the statement. Our capacity to marvel at the world around us is a unique aspect of our human nature, one that makes us special. It's basically us, humans, creatures with a heart-felt curiosity and a certain messiness. With a culture of compassion and connection, we have the potential to create a brighter, more exciting future, one that's filled with happy, fulfilling lives. That's the impact I wish to see.

Where this comes from

I have borrowed the whole idea of putting together a personal 'why' statement from Simon Sinek's book Start with Why.

Simon Sinek's starting point is that many products and companies try to convince us with features (what they do) and neglect emotional aspects. Therefore, he introduces a concept called the Golden Circle, emphasizing the need to start with an emotional root cause (the 'why'). Methods (HOWs) and features (WHATs) become secondary considerations.

It does not only work for individuals, but also for teams and organizations. It is invaluable because starting with why works on a deeper emotional level.

Wrap Up

Personally, I use a 'why' statement because it provides a simple filtering model for deciding what to do. It is not perfectly accurate. But it gives direction.

The approach of using a 'why' statement may not be for everyone, but for those who can relate, I highly recommend it.