10 important questions to ask yourself

We chose 10 questions from the book “Don’t Regret Anything and 99 Rules for Happy People” to help you understand yourself, realize your dreams, find happiness and achieve success.

Have you ever had that – answer a simple question from a friend, and all at once everything falls into place? The same thing happens when you work with a coach. One answer, another, and there it is, a life plan for 5 years to come. The right questions always help you find the right answers, sometimes quite unexpected ones. You can ask these questions of yourself and realize your true dreams and desires. And this is a sure path to happiness and success.

So, 10 questions to yourself:

1. What did you like to do when you were a kid? What did you want to be?

Any success is always preceded by the fulfillment of dreams, so you first need to find it. Maybe when you were a kid, you wanted something very much, and then it got sidetracked. Maybe you spent all day painting pictures or writing poetry? Or liked to put on concerts for the family? Treating birds when they got in trouble? If nothing else comes to mind, don’t panic: All in good time. Plus, you have nine more questions.

2. If you didn’t have to think about making money, what life and what business would you choose for yourself?

Believe me, the answer to this question may very well surprise you. To give it a sincere answer, we advise you to be alone with yourself and dream a little. Forget about the boundaries, the need to earn and pay the bills, and let your imagination run wild. Write down your answers and look back at them after a while.

3. What in life do you love most and wish it could happen to you as often as possible?

Maybe you’re willing to watch old movies all night long? Or love organizing surprise parties for friends? What about socializing with people you don’t know well? Think about what gives you the most pleasure. Maybe that’s what you’re meant to do.

4. What do you like to do in your spare time?

Even if you don’t have a lot of free time, which activity do you choose? Active recreation or something quiet? Do you visit exhibitions, museums, read books, take pictures, or knit unusual things?

Consider all options before giving your answer.

5. What in the lives of your friends or coworkers might make you mildly jealous?

You may not notice what you like until the other person has it. It’s our nature, and it’s normal. Think about it, maybe your friend or colleague has a cool car and you’re a little jealous of him? Maybe he’s a restless PR guy, or he has a quiet work-at-home job? Does he dress in expensive brand name clothing? Or travels a lot? Look around you, think of your friends, acquaintances and colleagues, what they have that is worthy of your envy? If something resonates in you, then somewhere deep inside you too really want it. Trust this feeling, and think about how to get what you want.

6. What did you learn from today?

Ask yourself this question every night, don’t be discouraged. You can even make a special diary and record the answers in it. This question will make you realize that success consists of a lot of little things that you can ignore. Analyze each day, and then you will consciously come to success and find your own unique happiness.

7. Are you working with your mind?

Working with intelligence means working as efficiently, intelligently and creatively as possible. Plan your day, allocate important and nonessential tasks, and delegate them to colleagues if necessary. One way to work productively is to present yourself as a great lazy person, because such people are able to find the easiest ways to solve problems. And always leave work where it should be – at work. Don’t think about it on weekends and vacations, so you can return to your duties with full energy and a fresh head.

8. Do you have a goal?

Everyone has their own purpose in life that makes them smile and feel a pleasant inner thrill. The sooner you articulate it, the sooner you begin to move toward it.

To be sure you reach your goal, write it down on paper. Research from Dominican University in California has shown that writing down your goals increases your success rate by 42%.

9. Have you learned to be thick-skinned?

There will be temporary challenges along the way to your dreams, one of them being the people around you. Your goal may seem to them a complete nonsense, they will try to bring you back to reality. It’s about the fear that someone will be more successful than they are. How will you respond to that? Are you ready to learn to let such words pass you by and continue to believe firmly in your dreams?

10. Are you afraid of success?

As educator and author Marianne Williamson said, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inferior. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond all measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be outstanding, great, talented, amazing?” Answer yourself honestly: are you afraid of success? If so, it’s time to overcome that fear. Take action and don’t stop for anything. May the power be with you!