3 Simple Questions Have Changed My Life

Find yourself between the age of 18 and 34? Welcome aboard, you're an official member of the most stressed out generation in America. 

Wake up discouraged? Check. Wake up tired? Check. Overwhelmed? Fearful? Anxious? Check. Check. Check. 

Stress surrounds you, and quite frankly, paralyzes your ability to move forward. It keeps you from making decisions. It keeps you from putting one foot in front of the other. It's the proverbial quicksand of your life. The more you struggle, the deeper you sink. 

Twelve times over the past six years, I've pulled away from the emails, the texts, and the unending notifications to journal, think, process, and dream. It's changed my life. My marriage. My friendships. My career. My ENTIRE LIFE. I'm not overstating it. And it can change yours too.

I'm serious. Pull out a pen, grab a sheet of paper, and journal through these three questions.  Ask them about each key area of your life: Spiritually, Physically, Socially, Intellectually, Professionally, and Financially. Get gut level honest with yourself and embrace reality. And do it often enough to make adjustments!

1. Where do I want to be?
2. Where am I now?
3. What's the best next step?

If I had 10 minutes to coach someone on dealing with stress, this is what I would tell them: Find a friend, journal through these questions together, and commit to holding each other accountable. Take time (away from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat) and THINK. I mean really THINK. And then...MOVE FORWARD.