I’ve been writing the Friday Food for Thought blog for almost ten years; lately, a few friends have suggested that I compile my “weekly ramblings” 😊 into a book. My response to each was the same: to what end?
I know many folks who have written books, but each had a specific purpose, such as building their business, launching a speaking career, or establishing themselves as experts for their consulting practice. All good reasons, but that’s not what I want to do. If you’ve followed FFfT for any length of time, you know it has very little to do with J2, and as for speaking…not my thing! But I’ve found myself saying “to what end” so often lately, the more I’ve been thinking about the phrase itself.
We spend much of our lives in motion, chasing goals, filling calendars, and pushing toward the next thing. It’s easy to feel productive when we’re busy, but how often do we pause to ask what all that motion is for?
It’s different from asking “why.” “Why” looks backward, to why we started. “To what end” looks forward. It’s about purpose, intention, and outcome, about making sure the energy we spend is aligned with what truly matters.
Years ago, I took a new job because it seemed like everything I wanted at the time: a promotion, a seat at the table, good people, interesting work. It was perfect on paper. But shortly after starting, I noticed I felt drained every day. It took me months to finally ask: to what end? What was I trying to accomplish here? The answer was uncomfortable: I was doing it because it seemed like it was what I should be doing, not because it helps me progress toward anything important to me. When I finally let it go, the relief was immediate.
It’s so easy to confuse momentum with meaning. You can be doing everything “right”, working hard, setting goals, hitting targets, and still feel disconnected. When that happens, it’s usually not because the work is wrong, but because we’ve lost sight of the end we’re moving toward.
Asking to what end has become a quiet compass for me. Not to overanalyze every choice, but to create awareness of the reason behind it. Sometimes the end is tangible, a goal achieved, a problem solved. Sometimes it’s emotional, growth, connection, peace. And sometimes, it’s realizing that what you’re chasing isn’t really yours at all.
When we remember to ask that question, it changes how we move through the world. It turns motion into meaning, effort into purpose. So, saying yes to the next thing or pushing through one more late night, pause for just a moment and ask yourself: to what end?
You might find the answer changes everything.
“It’s not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: what are we busy about?” – Henry David Thoreau
What’s something you’re working hard toward right now, and to what end? I’d love to hear what purpose or outcome is guiding you these days.
Have a great weekend.
-Vijay