Two Questions That will Change Your Life
If your life is getting off track or if you are feeling overwhelmed, or you need to make a big life decision, take a breath, and ask yourself this 1 question. Do not put the question into the context of your current challenge. Rather look to answer the question without any predisposed answers in your mind.
What are the most important things in your life?
I asked myself that question when I first got separated from my ex-husband. I was laying in my studio apartment feeling somewhat insecure of my future. At the top of my clean crisp journal page I wrote the question, “What is important to you?”
The seven words that immediately came to mind were
Financial Security t Spirituality t Family t Friends t Health t Fun t Inner Peace
When I realized there were 7 words, I decided to attach each word to a day of the week. Each day I would do something to keep that priority at the forefront of my mind. This concept has served me well for the past 12 years. This exercise forces me to put in writing my priorities. I immediately start feeling more grounded. Best of all it allows me to feel a renewed sense of clarity.
I’ve added one more question that helps me fine tune my priorities even more.
What brings you joy?
Recently I was at a professional crossroad in my life. I was very conflicted as to what path to take and was internally struggling with what I wanted my life to look like. That next morning I woke up with a new sense of purpose and determination.
If you are at a crossroad in your life, write down the things that are most important to you and what brings you joy. They may not always be the same words. As your life circumstances change, so do your priorities. If your list is very long, begin to make categories and slim it down. I think a good number is anywhere between 5 and 7 words or categories. Your final answers to those two questions will give you the road map to take your next step. Having your priorities as the guide, will undoubtedly help you lead a focused life.
Click here to learn more about Inspired Learning's Focused Life Program. Hilda Valdespino is a Transition Specialist and Inspirational Speaker.
Here's what Melissa Couture has to say:
"I had the pleasure of attending Hilda's training, ‘A Focused Life’ during an annual all-staff retreat while working for a local non-profit in social services. Being in a role in which burn out is high, I was at a point in my life where I needed some redirection - my inner voice was telling me I needed change, but I wasn't sure what or how to get there. As most of us, I had attended numerous workshops in my professional career, and I can honestly say that Hilda's training is one in which I still reflect on even today, three years later. It is one of the only program in which I held onto all the materials provided. I walked away from that day feeling more centered then I had in a long time, inspired to pursue my new truth and get back to the basics of what really mattered to me. Hilda's prompting and guidance on self reflection was something I hadn't done in years, not because I hadn't wanted to, but because I didn't know how. Her energy, her ability to relate and help me get to the core of what really mattered in my life, all helped guide me to let go of what I liked, in order to make room for what I loved. Investing in Hilda is an investment in yourself."