A few weeks ago I wrote “To Ask or Not to Ask … That Is the Question!” which offered a dozen questions you might want to consider asking yourself in a refreshing exercise of truth and revelation.
I received some interesting e-mails and even phone calls providing very positive feedback as a result of this challenge. So much so, in fact, that I’m expanding the list of provocative questions.
As in the initial exercise, find a comfortable seat and make certain you have a legal pad and pen at your disposal. Take a look at the following questions and choose a few which you feel might address a current challenge in your life. While doing this alone, you should have no fear or reluctance in answering each question truthfully. Failure to do so would certainly defeat the purpose of this exercise.
Read your question of choice, think about it for a few moments and then jot down all thoughts which may come into your mind. Don’t evaluate your responses at this point, just record them. Upon completion, you may want to add additional notes or revise some content upon further thought.
If you are perfectly honest in your answers, I can assure you that you’ll discover some personal insight you might find not only find revealing but, in some cases, even surprising. Your data may lead you to additional research, conversation with a trusted source, or even more professional counseling should you feel it necessary.
Here are some additional questions you might want to consider:
- How much time are you actively spending to increase your knowledge?
- What is it you’ve been putting off and KNOW you should do right now … before it’s too late?”
- What is one thing that I can do for someone else who has no opportunity to repay me?
- Have you seriously considered where you want to be and what you want to be doing five years from today?
- Would you be willing to allow someone to videotape your personal life and then use that tape as a training resource for others?
- What are the most important characteristics you would like to be remembered for?
- Must your children, grandchildren, and/or spouse fight to get your attention?
- If I neglect taking action on my most critical challenge, will it get better or worse?
- Have you clearly defined your personal and/or professional goals? (Don’t discount this one … it can produce life-altering results!)
- Who could you write to or phone this weekend to give a “boost of encouragement” to?
- What time-wasting activities can you eliminate or drastically reduce?
- When was the last time you complimented your family or staff members?
By the way, you may not like the answers … but you need to hear them!
About Harry K. Jones
Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.