Also known as the Five Why’s.
As far as tools go, the Five Why’s have been one of the most helpful methods I’ve found to figuring out my life.
What, you assumed I had my life figured out? I’d call anyone who said they did a liar. Maybe not to their face.
So, why the whys? Well, if you’re trying to get to the truth of something, I’ve found that after asking “why?” five times, I’ve ascertained quite a bit of clarity.
It’s easy. First, start with your observation. The more specific, the better. It could be anything from “I think I want to retire to live on a sailboat” all the way down to “I’m fairly certain the toilet paper should face outwards on the roller.”
Here’s how it goes:
- Why should the toilet paper should face outwards on the roller? Because that’s how it was intended to face in the original toilet paper patent.
- Why did it face outward in the patent? Because it makes it easier to tear.
- Why does it make it easier to tear? Because it’s easier for human hand motions to access the loose bit of paper.
- Why is it easier for human hand motions to access the loose bit? Because it’s closer, and not tucked back behind the roll.
- Why is it closer? Because you put it on the roller correctly, genius.
Obviously that was satire, but you get the idea. Each question asked brushes another layer of dirt away until you’ve finally excavated the truth you were after.
So, why are the whys so powerful at figuring ones life out? I only need one why for that answer. It’s because the truth of these types of questions already live inside you; you merely need to start digging.