Last week, I shared how micro-moments  – those flashes of clarity you can act on in 60 seconds – can create momentum and change.

But what about the days when those sparks don’t come? When the struggle gets too real, and even high achievers feel like they’re running on fumes?

👉 That’s what this video is all about. It’s only 4 minutes, and I share my personal story of struggling while working globally with young kids at home, plus the exact tools that helped me. “How to actually keep going (even when it’s all too much)”.

Watch it here 

Now, let’s go deeper into the idea of the Micro-Why and why it matters.

Simon Sinek’s Why vs. the Micro-Why

Simon Sinek made the concept of a “Why” famous with his TED Talk and bestselling book Start With Why. He defines your Why as your North Star – your enduring purpose, the deeper reason you exist beyond profit, achievement, or recognition.

This Why is powerful. It inspires, attracts, and sustains. It keeps leaders and organizations aligned. It’s timeless.

But here’s the truth: most high achievers already think this way. You’re trained to keep your eyes on the horizon, on the long-term vision. And that’s part of what makes you successful.

The flip side is that when you’re struggling, when life feels heavy, that North Star can feel impossibly far away. It’s not that you don’t believe in it anymore. It’s that it doesn’t help you get out of bed on a Tuesday when you’re exhausted, overextended, and barely keeping it together.

That’s why I talk about the Micro-Why.

What Is a Micro-Why?

The Micro-Why isn’t meant to replace your North Star. It’s meant to complement it.

Think of it as the short-term anchor that gets you through today.

And here’s the thing: your Micro-Why doesn’t have to be big, bold, or inspiring. In fact, it can feel boring, and that’s okay. Stability and consistency are powerful motivators.

• Maybe it’s doing it for your kids.
• Maybe it’s holding onto the stability of your job.
• Maybe it’s making it to your kid’s soccer game.
• Maybe it’s honoring a commitment to yourself.

The Micro-Why is about giving yourself permission to value the ordinary, everyday reasons that keep you moving forward. Those reasons may not sound impressive, but they’re what sustain you when your North Star feels too far away.

And here’s what I want you to hear: even if you feel like you’re only showing up at 50%, your 50% is still more than most people’s 100%.

Why High Achievers Overlook the Micro-Why

Most high achievers don’t think in terms of Micro-Whys. We’re wired to aim for the summit. We thrive on long-term vision, big goals, and lofty missions.

That mindset is a strength, but it also creates a blind spot. When we measure every step against the horizon, we forget that some days, just reaching base camp is enough.

Ignoring that truth leads to guilt, frustration, and burnout. Recognizing it creates resilience.

That’s the beauty of the Micro-Why: it reframes success as simply showing up for the reason that matters right now.

The Three-Step Moment Reset

Of course, knowing your Micro-Why isn’t always enough on its own. When the struggle feels overwhelming, you also need a way to reset your state. That’s where my Three-Step Moment Reset comes in:

1. Don’t think, just do.
   Interrupt your thinking within two seconds, with one small action of moving towards what you are thinking of doing. 
2. Move.
   Shift your physiology by moving your body. Stand up, stretch. When you change your physical state, your mental state follows.
3. Breathe.
   Slow, intentional breathing brings you back into the present moment and helps calm your nervous system.

This reset works because it bypasses overthinking and reconnects you with both body and breath.

My Story

I’ve lived this. During the years I was working globally,  flying around the world for meetings and keynote speaking engagements,  while raising young kids at home, I hit moments where I felt completely drained.

I believed in my North Star. I loved my work. But there were days I couldn’t see past the exhaustion.

What helped me keep going was remembering my Micro-Why. Some days, it was simply to be present for my kids at bedtime. Other days, it was to show myself that I could keep a promise I’d made.

And when I paired that Micro-Why with the Three-Step Moment Reset, I was able to keep moving, even on the days that felt impossible.

I share more of this story, along with the exact tools I used, in this week’s short video. It’s only 4 minutes, and I know it will give you something real you can use today. “How to actually keep going (even when it’s all too much)” on Marjan Moments.

Watch the video here on YouTube

The Takeaway

Your North Star matters. It’s what inspires you over the long haul. But when the struggle gets too real, when the sparks aren’t there, your Micro-Why is what carries you through.

Pair it with the Three-Step Moment Reset: Don’t think, just do, Move, Breathe  – and you’ll have a practical way to reset, refocus, and keep going, even when you feel like you’re only showing up at half your usual strength.

And remember this: your 50% is still more than most people’s 100%.

Missed Last Week?

If you haven’t yet read The 60-Second Micro-Moment Tool To Break Being Stuck , check it out!

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