Is it time?!

10 questions to ask yourself about personal development

Oh man… personal development. With so many self-help guru’s out there, it’s almost like the term ‘personal development’ is a bad word these days. But what if we could completely reshape our life and the lives of the people we love by going inward and seeking to understand a few truths about our own lives.

Personal development is really just about looking at our life and actively making many small changes over a long period of time. It’s about being the best that we can be, not only for ourselves, but for our families, friends, and colleagues. So, if you’re wondering if now is the right time to jump into the wild journey of personal development, here are 10 questions that may help you decide.

1. What do I really want? My entire 10-week coaching program is designed to help answer this one question. So, in the end, this question may be easier to say than it is to answer. However, when we get down to it, this may be the most important question too, because when we have clarity on what truly makes us tick (not just topical desires, but deeply held desires), that is when we get to truly start living life!

2. Should I change? There’s an old saying out there, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink?” The horse has to want to do what’s in its best interest in order to survive and we must do the same. If there is no desire to go inward and look at all our own “stuff” with an intention to change, then why do all the work in the first place. If you want to grow, then it’s time to ask yourself, “should I change?”

3. What’s the upside? It can be hard to look inward and admit that there some things that we need to change. It’s hard to look at our life choices and admit that we are the main character in every aspect of our life, no matter how good or bad. It can be hard to admit that even though bad things have happened to us, that we are responsible for our response to those events. So then, what’s the bright side? The bright side is that we get to overcome stories that have held down our whole lives as we reclaim our power. As long as we blame others for our life, we give them control over every aspect of our life. Once we admit that we have the power to change ourselves, we are blessed with the outcomes of a transformed existence.

4. Am I comfortable with where my life is now? There is nothing wrong with admitting that we can do things better. The fact is, we can always do things better. That is of course, unless we are perfect, but until that day, maybe there is room for improvement. So then, are you comfortable with where your life is now? I hope the answer is no because it’s the uncomfortableness that comes from knowing we can do it better, ultimately brings the growth towards a better tomorrow.

5. Do I owe it to myself? The interesting thing about this question is that when we think about whether we have done enough for ourselves in terms of personal growth, we are actually asking if we have done enough for the people we love. You see, it’s the work that we do on ourselves that ultimately impacts our family and friends. As we grow and improve, the lives of the people all around us feel the implications of our choices. Maybe the question should be, have you done enough for yourself, and in so doing, have you done enough to improve the lives of the people you love?

6. Am I happy? In the end I believe that, deep down, everyone has one simple desire. To be happy. So then, are you happy? I think it goes without saying that we obviously can’t be happy all the time, but generally speaking, are you happy? If not, then what can you change about yourself and your circumstances that may make you a bit happier? Perhaps a little introspect will bring some much-needed clarity and joy.

7. Who will benefit from my growth? When we choose to take on the project of personal growth, every person we encounter in our life benefits. However, it’s one thing to think about the hundreds or thousands of people we connect with over the course of a year, it’s another altogether, to think about the 3-5 people that mean the most. Who are the 3-5 people who would benefit the most from your choice to improve yourself as you bravely face your inner world?

8. What’s possible for my life? Only you can answer this question. However, when we don’t truly understand ourselves, it’s hard to understand our true gifts, which makes it hard to answer this question accurately. As we go inward and learn about us, not only do we learn how we can improve, but we also learn what is possible for our lives in the grander scheme of things. So, what is possible for your life?

9. What’s my driving force? What is your why? What could possibly keep you moving forward as you go through the journey of personal development if you don’t have a bigger picture in mind? What motivates you to become the most successful version of yourself? This is a very important question, because when your back is up against the wall and when times get tough, your understanding of a greater purpose is what will push you through the tough times.

10. What’s been holding me back? Why haven’t you taken action yet? First off, it’s ok if you haven’t taken action yet, because it’s never too late to start! With that said, understanding what has been holding you back can help you formulate strategies to take action now so you can move forward towards the life you deserve. We all have reasons and excuses for inaction, but as we seek to understand our excuses, we gain the power to push beyond them.

In the end, personal growth is not a bad word. It’s simply a term used to define a process that people follow to make themselves and the people around them better. As far as I can tell, personal growth is good! If everyone was working on themselves, the world would be a better place. So then, is it time for you to embark on the journey? That answer is one you will have to answer for yourself, but I am confident that when you answer with a resounding yes, your world and the world of the people around you will never be the same!

Here's to your journey in our world, my friend!

-Dan