When we think about something that has the power to change our lives, we usually think big like a new job or a move across the country. But sometimes even something small, like a question mulled over with care, can change the path you’re on. Consider if one of the following questions might inspire personal impact.
1. Am I Really Happy Right Now? “We have a tendency to put our happiness on hold by telling ourselves, ‘When I get married I will be happy,’ or, ‘When I graduate, I will be happy,’ when we could permit ourselves to be happy now and enjoy each day,” says Dr. Srikumar Rao, author of Happiness At Work and head of The Rao Institute. As a second part to this question, he suggests asking yourself: What is keeping me from being happy at this instant?
2. If I Had All the Money in the World, How Would I Spend My Time? Having to pay for rent and groceries (and those pesky bills) can cloud what’s truly calling to you. Take away financial concerns, and you can think more clearly about what is truly meaningful and important in your life. Yes, you still may need to keep your job, but your answer might lead you to start a side business, take up a new hobby or shift how you spend your time.
3. What Do I Want My Legacy to Be? When we get caught up in the minutiae of day-to-day life, it’s easy to forget the big picture. How do you want to be remembered? What impact do you want to have with your life? It might sound grim, but picturing what you want people to say during your eulogy can really wake you up to how you want to live today.
4. How Is My Story Holding Me Back? We are defined by the stories we tell ourselves. Are you letting yourself be defined by a negative narrative? We can choose to focus on the stories that empower us, and help us see ourselves and our strengths.
5. When Should I Say “No”? If you don’t say “no” when you want to, it can leave no time to say “yes” to those things you really want to do. If you say “yes” when you don’t want to can set yourself up for frustration and resentment. Saying “no” can actually be a kind act—for yourself and your well-being. 6. What Is a Recurring Problem in My Life and How Can I Solve It? Sometimes we can get stuck—whether in the midst of a bad relationship, financial woes, weight gain or another personal challenge. Your recurring problem can derail you from striving toward your full potential because it keeps you distracted. Go after your recurring problem with focus and a solution-mindset to solve it once and for all. New opportunities arise when we get unstuck.
7. How Can I Turn Regret Into Motivation? If you are lucky enough to get lots of opportunity in life, then you also have lots of opportunity to regret things. “Turn any regrets into motivation,” says Darlene Mininni, author of The Emotional Toolkit. “The key is remembering you did the best you could with the information you had at the time. It’s easy to judge yourself after the fact,” she says. “Let experience become your teacher and take your big, fat insight and make it a catalyst for change.”
For more great tips visit themediaconcierge.net.
