Do you want all the answers upfront? It’s not going to happen. I would like to know a little more first (a form of procrastination), but I realize more and more each day that it won’t happen. We cannot have all the answers upfront. And even if we had all the pieces to the puzzle, we would need considerable time to create clarity around how to put them together.
We often think the best place to start any task is with the research. Research is essential, I agree. However, most of the time, we begin researching the wrong thing. We research how or when to do something before discerning our motivation, desires, thoughts, and beliefs. Skipping this practice may cause us to abandon the more challenging task too quickly.
It’s essential to get clear. Get clear. This two-word effort is beneficial in every single situation. We cannot move forward with resolve and certainty without it. We cannot move forward decisively and confidently unless we are clear about who we are and what we want.
Don’t move too quickly to what most people would say is action—something they can see you’re doing. Action is also noticing, observing, and creating new awareness. We can take these important actions to get us on the right path to move toward what we want. They are non-negotiables for showing up in life and leadership authentically with confidence.
Here are four big questions to ask yourself (to get clear on YOU) before you take flight.
- What’s your WHY? We have probably heard this question more times than we can count. But how many times have you sat down and answered it completely and thoroughly? I’m not speaking of your why in terms of your reason for endeavoring to engage in a new task. I’m referring to your whole why, as in, why are you here on earth? What do you value in life? I’ll start. To name a few, I value freedom, peace, relationships, creativity, and flexibility. Looking back at my life, I see these things as predominant themes even when I was growing up. What things do you value? What are your gifts and strengths? What would you do even if you never got paid for it? I believe a proper understanding of who we were created to be is derived from knowing our Creator.
- What are the things? What things do you love to do? Again, would you still do them with growing excellence if you never got paid? What are the things that you tolerate because you must do them? These things don’t necessarily give us the fulfillment we desire, but they must be done. And lastly, what are the things you’re currently doing that you neither must do nor do you love doing them? In other words, you’re doing and tolerating them, but you don’t have to do them. Perhaps someone else could.
- When are you at your best? At what times in your life do you feel like you’re flourishing? A beautiful flower unfolding? What’s typically happening in your life during those times? Who’s there with you? Who is not? What key things are you telling yourself in those moments? These questions prompt you to think more deeply about how your experiences impact you and how they relate to your purpose here on earth.
- Where do you add value? Now, this will be your reflection plus the reflections of others (the recipients). I get that you probably add value in several different places. I hope this is true. But I want you to think about the most value in two terms: what others receive from you and what spaces you love to add value. What excites you the most about it? How do you get more of it?
There you have it! Enough to get you started on researching YOU. It’s worth repeating: this is important and often overlooked. I can think of many other questions that may help you gain clarity. We need it for everything. Slow down and sit with the questions and the answers.
Leave a comment. What questions do you typically ask yourself to gain clarity? If you’re not asking questions, today is a great day to start.