By Hollie Taylor
I heard recently that one way to sharpen your analytical thinking is to ask yourself “why” and not just once.
Like small children do, ask “why” five times. By the time you get to the fifth why, you’ll often have boiled things down to the root cause of whatever problem you’re facing.
In the same way, asking yourself “why” repeatedly can help you uncover the root cause of your passion.
Defining your “why” helps you narrow in on your story and the direction you want to take your music.
Some artists want to lean into the ministry side of why they create music. Others are more focused on the business. It doesn’t matter which is your key driving factor—as long as you’re honest about your why. And while both may be true to some degree, pick a lane. The other will naturally find its way into the equation, but clarity helps guide those you want on your team.
For example, if your why is ministry, then a pastor or mentor should be among the first people you reach out to—for accountability, prayer support, and message accuracy. If your focus is business, then a manager or agent may be your first call.
A ministry-driven path might lead you to conferences, church services, and youth camps as you clarify who you’re serving. Meanwhile, a business-oriented path might take you to clubs, venues, and festivals as you work to grow your audience and exposure.
Both are art. Both are music. But without knowing your why, you’re likely to have a slow start as you figure out which path fits your mission best.
So if you’re at a crossroads, wondering how you got here and where to go next… ask:
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why?
WHY?! 😊
