5 Questions to Ask Yourself

 If you feel stuck, maybe you’re not looking in the right place for the answers. We tend to look outward, when in all actuality we should turn inward. Asking yourself questions is an excellent way to find the answers you need. The right questions can be stimulating to your thought process. You’ll get answers that you can use… just remember the purpose is not to feel shame, or place blame. The goal is to get unstuck and define your direction. 

Ask yourself the questions that matter the most:

1.     How do I sabotage myself? Let’s be honest, we all sabotage ourselves. We talk ourselves out of things that would lead to success and happiness. We procrastinate. We compare ourselves harshly to others. 

• Make a list of the ways you’ve sabotaged yourself in the past. Notice any patterns? Now you have a better idea of what to watch out for in the future. 

2.     How can I use more of the beneficial knowledge and skills I already have? In today’s world, we know more than we ever have. The average person knows enough to make a million dollars, have the body of a Greek god or goddess, and marry a supermodel. So… why don’t you use all the great things you already know?

• Consider everything you already know about diet and exercise. Do you apply that knowledge?

• How much do you know about saving and investing for the future? What can you do to brighten your financial outlook?

• How much do you know about relationships? Are you truly taking full advantage of that information? Why not?

• Imagine what your life would look like if you applied everything you already know. Most people are convinced they don’t know enough. In reality, they just don’t perform the actions that they know to be effective or avoid counterproductive actions.

• Make a list of everything you do that you know you shouldn’t. Then make a list of everything you fail to do, but know that you should.

3.     What can I control? What can I not control? We spend far too much time worrying about things that can’t be controlled. We spend too little time effectively controlling those things that are within our realm of control. 

• Most of our childhood and early adulthood are spent trying to control the uncontrollable. Maturing is understanding what can be controlled and then figuring out the best way to control it.

• What are you worrying about right now that you can’t control? 

4.     Why am I doing all of this? Most of the things we do are for others. You might think you’re going to the gym for yourself, but you might actually be going to impress others with your amazing physique. 

• How much are you actually doing for yourself? How many things do you do only because others are watching? Would you drive a luxury car if no one would ever know about it?

• Are your goals about satisfying yourself or impressing others? Are you only trying to live up to the expectations of others?

5.     What is most important to me? We spend too much time on frivolous activities, largely because we haven’t defined our priorities. What is most important to you? 

• If you could only have one career for the rest of your life, what would it be?

• If you could only be with one person for the rest of your life, what characteristics would that person possess?

• What are the three places you’d most like to visit?

• What are the three things you’d most like to accomplish?

• What are you going to make a priority in your life?

Consider the questions you ask yourself on a regular basis. In one form or another, most people are asking themselves, “How can I distract myself until…” 

By asking yourself more effective questions, you’ll get the answers you need to pivot and put your personal development into overdrive.