It’s been said that the number one fear in the world, even above death, is the fear of speaking in public. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld has said that for most people, this means if they are at a funeral, they would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy.

Interviewing over 4,000 of the world’s most influential leaders, there is one thing I know for sure. Your “why” matters.

The most common thing I find during my interviews is that the world’s top leaders have a strong clarity around their true purpose, and their actions are focused around supporting that why.

Perhaps that’s why when I interviewed the now 73 years old Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup, The Success Principles) a couple of years ago, he talked about still going to seminars and taking voracious notes despite already teaching so many others each and every year.