Question Yourself, Intentionally

The ability to be decisive and follow through with your goals is a good quality to have, but is it always?

Being confident with decisions and consistent with priorities and values is important. However many of us make decisions and continue down a path without thinking twice. For example, maybe you have wanted to go back to school for years because you now feel that you will find your true passion in another career. Perhaps you have always wanted to go into real estate but in reality you feel that starting a consulting firm is a better fit.

What I have found to be very helpful is to taking a step back question whether the path you are on still aligns with your priorities, values, and goals.

Is your career ACTUALLY taking you the direction you want to go? Do your outside activities REALLY align with your major life priorities? Are you associating with those that BUILD YOU UP and provide you with a positive environment?  Am I flourishing in my current roles while growing my confidence, speaking skills, and in my leadership skills? Do I seem happy with the decisions in life I have made thus far?

While I do sincerely believe that it is important to be confident with making decisions, it is also important to question whether those are still the right decisions for your life, now and down the road.

Often times we move forward in life with blinders on; we know the target and that is where we want to go! But what about taking those blinders off? I have done so by gaining others perspectives on my life and my path’s trajectory. After all, we only see ourselves from our own perspective. To learn about myself what I have done is discuss my current path with others such as a close supportive colleague, someone from my religious organization that knows me well, or a family member or friend. However when doing this I am VERY selective in asking for input only from those who have what I want, and are QUALIFIED to give perspective. This is crucial because taking advice from those that don’t have what you want, is NOT going to get you there. By inquiring about my perceived strengths, admired qualities, and areas of weakness I have come to see myself in a different light and determine whether my previous decisions continue to align with my goals, values, and priorities or if I really do need a course correction.