4 W's of Endless Values

Who – Owning Your Unique Edge

Picture this: It's 3 a.m. You're groggy, disoriented, maybe even in a cold sweat, but you have to get something done. What do you reach for instinctively? What do you execute effortlessly, even under pressure?

I was having breakfast with a seasoned business leader when he threw this exact scenario at me. Then, he hit me with the real question: "What are you naturally great at?" He wasn't asking about my job title or resume highlights—he wanted to know my superpowers. The things I do so well they feel second nature. That's what he meant by my voice—the unique strengths, talents, and instincts that set me apart.

One of the hardest transitions after graduation is figuring out who you are in your career and life. But here's the truth: You already have a voice—you just have to own it. Your voice is the way you think, create, and contribute effortlessly. It's the combination of skills, experiences, and gifts that are yours alone.

If you never take the time to discover it, your voice will stay buried under expectations, distractions, and fear. But when you step into it? People notice. Opportunities open. And you start playing the game at a whole new level.

Why – Defining What Drives You

I'll never forget the first time I seriously questioned my why. It wasn't some big inspirational moment—it was actually out of frustration. I had found myself stuck in a cycle, trying to stop doing something I knew wasn't serving me, but I couldn't figure out why I kept going back to it.

That's when I realized: your motivations run deeper than your actions.

Even my three-year-old daughter has a why driving her actions. And as a parent, my job is to help her understand it. The same goes for you. The earlier you get clear on your why, the better you can channel it into something meaningful.

So let me ask you:

What defines your sense of security, purpose, and success?

What fuels you when things get tough?

From over 10,000 hours working with young professionals, I've found that most people's why falls into one (or more) of these five categories:

• Identity – Who am I?

• Income – How do I sustain myself?

• Impact – How do I make a difference?

• Influence – How do I shape the world around me?

• Independence – How do I create freedom in my life?

Without clarity on your why, it's easy to chase the next shiny thing—new job, new city, new opportunity—without ever feeling satisfied. And I'll be honest: no paycheck, title, or material success will ever be enough which should lead to understanding that you are made for more than this world has to offer. (Any Switchfoot fans??)

Where – Charting Your Course

For real: When was the last time you seriously thought about where your life is going?

For the first time, you're in a season without a built-in "next step" like graduation. There's no syllabus, no graduation date, no "ending" per say for the next 50+ years of your career.

And here's the thing—your path won't be as straight as you expected. You'll hit detours. Career pivots, moves to new cities, unexpected setbacks, relationship shifts. Life throws curveballs. But the people who win? They stay focused on the destination while staying flexible with the journey.

In life—just like in leadership—you have to decide:

• Where am I going?

• How quickly do I "Arrive"?

• What risks am I willing to take?

What that looks like in your 20s & beyond:

• Not chasing every new opportunity just because it's exciting

• Not waiting for someone else to fix your situation.

• Take risks, commit, and course-correct along the way.

A vision without action is just a wish. So, where are you headed? And what are you doing to get there?

What – Whatchu Got?

My first job? I was a janitor.

Every morning, I'd hit football practice, then head straight to work—mowing, power-washing, painting doors, doing whatever needed to be done. In the heat of summer. It wasn't glamorous, and honestly, it kind of sucked.

But looking back, that job gave me tools I still use today. It taught me the value of unseen work. It showed me that every role—no matter how small—is critical to the bigger picture. And it built a work ethic that has served me ever since.

So let me ask you: What's one skill or lesson from your first job that you still use today? I guarantee there's gold in it.

Your what is the toolbox you build along the way—the skills, relationships, and experiences that equip you for the long game. Some of the best tools you can collect:

• Knowledge – Books, courses, mentorship

• Skills – Communication, leadership, problem-solving

• Behavior/Character – Mentors, friends, industry connections

• Environments – Figuring out where you thrive (corporate, startup, remote, in-person)

No two toolkits are the same. Build yours based on your strengths, goals, and the gaps you need to fill. The past few years may have revealed areas where you need to grow—pay attention to those. The people who keep leveling up in life are the ones who never stop adding the right tools or get really good at sharpening the ones they have, which assumes knowledge of the ones you possess.

Final Thought: Get in the Game

Navigating life and work in your 20s is overwhelming. But here's the good news: You don't have to figure it all out immediately.

Start here:

1. Discovering who you are.

2. Understanding why you do what you do.

3. Setting a clear direction for where you're going.

4. Identify and lean into what you carry.

The Yo Pro desires to help you navigate your world, as you navigate the world. We are In Your Corner!

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