It was a Friday afternoon and I desperately
needed to recharge my batteries. I had a battering week, with problem
after problem seeming to fall from the sky and the only way I could find solace
was in the company of a like- minded friend. So I went to her place to indulge
in some senseless chit-chat, delicious food and some much needed pampering.
As we sat and spoke about our lives, our
jobs and our ambitions to redefine the world, the topic of growth came up. We
both thought it was important that no matter how old you grow...you need to
keep learning and consequently keep growing. Stagnation as we observed not only
deteriorates your mind but in the long run your relationship with people and
objects.
So, to ensure that the two of us never got
'stuck' we made a pact - a pact to check up on each others growth. I came
up/found some questions and we decided that once a week, we would catch up and
review how we were doing?
Here are the Questions:
1.What did I learn last week? – If
you have trouble answering this question, it’s time for a change. It
doesn’t matter how old you are, you should learn something new every week.
2.What was my greatest accomplishment
over the past week? – Reflecting on your accomplishments is a healthy way
to raise self confidence and contentment. It’s also an effective way to
track your progress.
3.Which moment from last week was
the most memorable and why? – It may open up your mind to new passions and
goals, or simple pastimes worth revisiting.
4.What’s the #1 thing I need to
accomplish this week? – Everything else is secondary, and should be treated
as such. Nevertheless, this question will also shine light on other
noteworthy tasks.
5.What can I do right now to make the
week less stressful? – Set reminders in your calendar, get your laundry
done, fill the car with gas… organize yourself.
6.What have I struggled with in the past
that might also affect the upcoming week? – The idea here is to learn from
your struggles and better equip yourself for future encounters.
7.What was last week’s biggest time
sink? – Steer clear of this in the future. Setup physical barriers
against distractions if you have to.
8.Am I carrying any excess baggage into
the week that can be dropped? – Physical clutter, mental clutter… eliminate
the unnecessary so the necessary may shine bright.
9.What have I been avoiding that needs
to get done? – Pencil in a time to get these things done. For any
2-minute or less tasks, consider scheduling them first thing Monday morning.
10.What opportunities are still on the
table? – If it’s still available and you want it, make a concrete plan to
go after it this week.
11.Is there anyone I’ve been meaning to
talk to? – Regular communication can solve problems before they
fester. Always keep an open line of communication to those around you.
12.Is there anyone that deserves a big
‘Thank You’? – Take time each week to thank the people who have helped
you. Your kind gesture will not go unnoticed.
13.How can I help someone else this
coming week? – The easiest way to get what you want is to help others get
what they want. If you help them, they will remember you when you need
help.
14.What are my top 3 goals for the next
3 years? – You’ll never make any progress in life if you don’t setup
realistic goals for yourself.
15.Have any of my recent actions moved
me closer to my goals? – If the answer is no, something needs to change.
16.What’s the next step for each goal? –
Knowing the next step is the key to accomplishing the whole.
17.What am I looking forward to during
the upcoming week? – The answer can act as a great source of
motivation. If nothing exists, schedule something to look forward to.
18.What are my fears? – Consciously
address your fears each week and slowly work on resolving them. It’s all
about taking baby steps.
19.What am I most grateful for? –
It’s a smart way to keep things in perspective, and something you should never
lose sight of.
20.If I knew I only had one week to
live, who would I spend my time with? – Another helpful reminder… Life is
short. Spend more time with the people you care about.
Hopefully they help you in your quest to be
‘unstuck’
I sit here, watching the rain pitter patter
against the wings of the pigeons that waddle along the streets of Melbourne.
Fat on Mcdonalds, I wonder if our lives are really much different to theirs? A
constant scramble for food…for survival? Establishing a pecking order and
sticking to it, until some renegade decides to break it. He will be rewarded in
isolation or kinship and heroism. Why are rewards so polar? Or would a better
question be –are rewards polar only when we care about them??
