~ In Praise of Questions ~

I believe that questions are the answers. What I mean is that the process of asking good questions—questions that lead to more clarity—lead us to power. After all, isn't that what a good consultant or counselor does? A good counselor doesn't give us the answers, they help us to get clear on the problems we face and allow us to uncover how best to resolve them. Much of the value of a coaching/consulting session is that we're forced to take the time to think and ponder the answers to good questions. A great deal of this can be done ourselves by taking the time to generate and consider important questions:

1. What is my purpose? My mission?

We need a mission that motivates and inspires us to be our best. Is mine clear? Does it empower me? Do I feel impassioned by it? Does it feel right for me?

2. What are my three most important goals right now?

These should be those things that come first and most easily to your awareness. These goals must be measurable, personal and have a time frame (e.g. target date) for completion or accomplishment.

3. Is what I'm spending my time on every day moving me closer to those goals?

Actions are just that—measurable steps over which we have control. If you're spending your time on things that don't relate to your goals, how realistic is it to think that you're going to reach them?

4. What are the three biggest roadblocks to accomplishing my three most important goals?

What are the biggest problems? What stops me? What discourages me? What do I need in order to get the job done?

5. What can I set in motion today?

Too many people wait for their ships to come in when they've never sent any out. What can I cause to happen? What can I begin today? And remember, beginning is half done.

6. What can I complete today?

Completions empower. We can't be totally present unless our past is fully complete. Those things left undone drag us down and hinder our progress. Check something off today. Put it behind you. "Do it, drop it or change it."

7. What are three things I'm now tolerating and want to eliminate?

We get what we settle for. By getting rid of what we don't want in our lives, we make way for what we do want. It's the principle of vacuum. By eliminating what we merely "tolerate" but which has little value for us, we free up our energy, reduce our frustration and increase our creativity. For things we feel must be done but for which we perceive little value, have we reflected on their possible value to us, so that we can appreciate, rather than resenting, time spent on them? If something can't be eliminated, are we at least being efficient in taking care of it, so that it takes as little as possible of our most valuable asset: our time?

8. Who and what am I most appreciative of in my life?

Who or what has value in our life? Does our daily life reflect that appreciation? Does our daily attitude reflect the joy of gratitude for what we have or the negative focus on what we do not have? An attitude of "gratitude" is worth cultivating. By focusing on what/who we have in our lives, it opens us up to receiving even more by eliminating the negative.

9. If I had six months to live, what would I do with it?

We each have 100% of the rest of our lives left. But the fact is, we may not even have six months, six weeks or even six days to live. Shouldn't we live the next six months/weeks/days as if they were our last?

10. What are the three most important things in the world to me?

We love what we give our time to. Am I giving my time what's really important to me?

  - Submitted by Pat Barfield