It's easy to get frustrated and upset when things aren't going according to the plans you laid out..all nice and neat and wrapped up with a bow. We all know by now that the best things in life don't always come easily. But what if you could ask yourself a few questions that would change your life? "Sure!" you say. "Who wouldn't?" The questions, however, aren't easy or fun to answer...the answers might be hard to confront because somewhere deep down inside you really don't want to know the answers. Socrates said it best, I think, "The unexamined life isn't worth living." Without this examining, we can wind up leading a mediocre life. And who wants that?
We often think of the number 13 as being unlucky. But while these 13 questions won't bring you luck, they will help to change and improve your life.
1. How do people see me differently than I see myself? "Humans (and frogs too) interpret their behavior in terms of how they think they come across, whereas everyone else sees the real thing," says Travis Bradbury, author of Emotional Intelligence. He tells us that Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, runs the company on questions...not on answers. Ask others how they see you and then really listen to what they tell you.
2. What/whom did I make better today? This can also be stated, "Leave things better than when you found them." End each day by asking yourself what you did to make things better. It will help keep you grounded and focused on the things that really matter.
3. Am I being true to my values? If you get the feeling that somethings a little off in your life, it probably is. And it's most likely something that violates your core values. Correct and your life will improve immensely.
4. If I achieved all my goals, How would I feel? What can I do to feel that way each day as I work to achieve them? It has been said that "the ability to delay gratification in pursuit of your goals is one of the most fundamental prerequisites for success, but delaying gratification doesn’t have to mean being miserable until you cross that finish line." Every time you make progress towards your goal, reward yourself. It needn't be anything big or even cost any money. Give yourself a pat on the back, take a long bubble bathe, or treat yourself by watching a favorite old film.
5. What haven't I taken the time to learn about? Scientists theorize that it once took 1,500 years for the world's accumulated knowledge to double. Now it only takes a year or two. Keep up with the change. Learn. Expand your mind. Grow.
6. In what areas of my life am I settling? Is it in your relationship, your job, your lifestyle? If you don't ask yourself where your setting for just "good enough," you can't make the changes necessary to improve it.
7. What do I want my life to be like in five years? I love this quote from Lewis Carroll, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there." Enough said.
8. What would I do if I wasn't scared? Fear has a purpose, for sure, but we often let fear of the unknown make our life less than it could be. Instead of keep you safe, fear has a tendency to hold you back. It keeps you from improving your life and living your dreams.
9. Who has qualities that I aspire to develop? Take a good look at the people you admire. What qualities do they have that you feel you lack? Find ways to incorporate those qualities and attributes into your daily life.
10. What problem are we solving? If this is a problem in your business life, make sure that all the employees are "on the same page." That is, they all are working towards solving the same problem. If you don't ask, you won't know. Don't just assume that everyone's thinking the same thing.
11. What's stopping me from doing the things I should be doing? Experts tell us that it's easy to think you don't know what to do next. But, really, you do! It's simply a case of you don't want to...you aren't willing to work around the obstacles that may be in your way.
12. Will you be my mentor? It can be an intimidating question to ask, but rarely one that gets refused. If you need guidance, ask for it. Most folks will be flattered and eager to help you.
And finally,
13. What's the most important lesson I've learned in life? Am I living that lesson? Sometimes we have to learn a lesson twice, or three times, before we incorporate it into our daily living. Knowing what you've already learned, and then putting it into practice, will make life run easier and smoother. We often get comfortable with our life and then slip back into old behaviors. Learn from your mistakes and move forward...not backwards.
As I was typing this, I was mentally answering these questions for myself. Although some were difficult for me, and will require more time and thought, I can see where the answers can only serve to move me into the life I want to life. I hope they'll do the same for you.
We often think of the number 13 as being unlucky. But while these 13 questions won't bring you luck, they will help to change and improve your life.
1. How do people see me differently than I see myself? "Humans (and frogs too) interpret their behavior in terms of how they think they come across, whereas everyone else sees the real thing," says Travis Bradbury, author of Emotional Intelligence. He tells us that Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, runs the company on questions...not on answers. Ask others how they see you and then really listen to what they tell you.
2. What/whom did I make better today? This can also be stated, "Leave things better than when you found them." End each day by asking yourself what you did to make things better. It will help keep you grounded and focused on the things that really matter.
3. Am I being true to my values? If you get the feeling that somethings a little off in your life, it probably is. And it's most likely something that violates your core values. Correct and your life will improve immensely.
4. If I achieved all my goals, How would I feel? What can I do to feel that way each day as I work to achieve them? It has been said that "the ability to delay gratification in pursuit of your goals is one of the most fundamental prerequisites for success, but delaying gratification doesn’t have to mean being miserable until you cross that finish line." Every time you make progress towards your goal, reward yourself. It needn't be anything big or even cost any money. Give yourself a pat on the back, take a long bubble bathe, or treat yourself by watching a favorite old film.
5. What haven't I taken the time to learn about? Scientists theorize that it once took 1,500 years for the world's accumulated knowledge to double. Now it only takes a year or two. Keep up with the change. Learn. Expand your mind. Grow.
6. In what areas of my life am I settling? Is it in your relationship, your job, your lifestyle? If you don't ask yourself where your setting for just "good enough," you can't make the changes necessary to improve it.
7. What do I want my life to be like in five years? I love this quote from Lewis Carroll, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there." Enough said.
8. What would I do if I wasn't scared? Fear has a purpose, for sure, but we often let fear of the unknown make our life less than it could be. Instead of keep you safe, fear has a tendency to hold you back. It keeps you from improving your life and living your dreams.
9. Who has qualities that I aspire to develop? Take a good look at the people you admire. What qualities do they have that you feel you lack? Find ways to incorporate those qualities and attributes into your daily life.
10. What problem are we solving? If this is a problem in your business life, make sure that all the employees are "on the same page." That is, they all are working towards solving the same problem. If you don't ask, you won't know. Don't just assume that everyone's thinking the same thing.
11. What's stopping me from doing the things I should be doing? Experts tell us that it's easy to think you don't know what to do next. But, really, you do! It's simply a case of you don't want to...you aren't willing to work around the obstacles that may be in your way.
12. Will you be my mentor? It can be an intimidating question to ask, but rarely one that gets refused. If you need guidance, ask for it. Most folks will be flattered and eager to help you.
And finally,
13. What's the most important lesson I've learned in life? Am I living that lesson? Sometimes we have to learn a lesson twice, or three times, before we incorporate it into our daily living. Knowing what you've already learned, and then putting it into practice, will make life run easier and smoother. We often get comfortable with our life and then slip back into old behaviors. Learn from your mistakes and move forward...not backwards.
As I was typing this, I was mentally answering these questions for myself. Although some were difficult for me, and will require more time and thought, I can see where the answers can only serve to move me into the life I want to life. I hope they'll do the same for you.
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