9 Essential Questions to Cultivate Change and Facilitate Personal Growth

1) What is the most important skill I’m lacking? 

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Strengths are what we develop, and weaknesses are what we manage. Our weaknesses are often responsible for limiting our personal growth and success. There are advantages to being well-rounded in knowing your strengths and your weaknesses.

2) How do I get in my own way in life?

Do you ever sabotage your own efforts? It’s possible to fear success. After all, gaining something often means giving up something else. It’s not easy to examine this part of ourselves, but the benefit is immense. 

3) How would I advise my 18-year old self?

Hindsight is 20/20, but the mistakes you’ve made in the past are probably still occurring. Think about the choices you think you should’ve made as an 18-year-old. They will provide insight into your current situation. This question will also help you decide if you are at peace with your current thoughts and beliefs.

4) What are my greatest strengths?

Make a list of your greatest strengths. How can you apply them to your life? Our weaknesses might hold us back, but our strengths can determine how high we can rise. Weaknesses are like a boat anchor while strengths are like the motor. To make this exercise even more meaningful, take the CliftonStrengths Assessment, a performance-based tool that builds self-awareness and strength..

5) What am I able to control in my life?

Say these words out loud: “Worrying about things that are outside of my control is a waste of time.” Focus on the aspects you’re able to influence. According to Webster’s dictionary, the definition of influence is this: a person or thing with the capacity or power to have an effect on someone or something. Apply your thoughts, time, and effort accordingly.

6) What am I willing to take a stand for?

Someone once said if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. How do you want to be thought of at the end of your life? What will your tombstone dash represent? Are you currently living in a manner that supports that vision? Think about who you want to be, which could be quite different from what you want to be.

7) What is the one signinficant thing I’d like to accomplish?

You probably have several options for your life, and it’s not always easy to choose. Think about the one accomplishment that would mean the most to you. Or that one thing that says you have made a difference somewhere in your life. Then make a list of realistic steps you can take to achieve it. 

8) What is the single biggest limit I impose upon myself?

It might be the belief that you’re not smart enough to finish college or socially astute enough to attract a wonderful spouse. What am I actively doing right now to crush this self-limiting belief!? By the way, there’s a 99.999% chance you haven’t worked hard enough to accurately determine what your self-limits truly are.

9) What do I do about the challenges I face in life?

Perhaps your parents made a lot of mistakes. Maybe your boss is a jerk. Regardless of the source of your challenges, it’s your responsibility to deal with them. You are accountable. This knowledge is actually great news because now you see that you don’t have to rely on someone else in order to move forward!