Questions that changed my life forever.

"Poverty or history cannot limit one’s potential. Only closed minds and hands can do that." – Erik Kikuchi

If you could, consider the opportunity in suddenly discovering you only had one year to live. How would you begin to see or change your life today? If you really knew in 12 months to complete your legacy, what would you do starting today? Would you have the same routine, friends, relationship, job, business or income; would you live in the same place, city or country?   Our life passes so fast and before we know it a week, a month and a decade has already passed.

 Our time is the second most important resource in our lives. How we invest in our selves, others both in the present and for the future not only determines the quality of our life, but the impact as well as social leaders. The problem is, sometimes our routine and comfort zone is just too comfortable, and in the process we surrounded ourselves with so much ‘stuff’, that makes it near impossible to move. These ‘trappings’ as I call them are what keeps our lives either repeating the past or slowing our future growth. Getting refocused on where we are, re-evaluating what has held us back and re-align to where we really want to be should be as important as making sure you don’t starve of hunger each day.

So where do we start? If we follow the crowd, we tend to walk in their shadows. The pattern of wake up, go to work, come home get some things done and go to bed is not what our lives was meant to be. Isn’t life is meant to be lived and not followed? In the last 10 years alone I’ve traveled over 25 countries and 120 cities. I’ve lived in North, Central and South America and have never woken up to an alarm clock in over 15 years during both my professional life and life towards serving others. It’s simply because of asking new and better questions, and trusting that the leap will always give you want you need.

Answer the following questions with as much honesty and freedom as possible. Avoid any excuses, or reasons why you cannot or couldn’t. Its about considering what may have been forgotten or it might reaffirm what you are already living.

1. If you couldn’t remember what you studied, where you worked or your past experience, what would learn or study? I’m talking about taking out the map, dreaming big and choosing a place that you always dreamed about. Is it where you are now? If not, ask yourself what is keeping you from being there? Are they fears, trappings or limiting beliefs?  Fact is if you made it where you are now, you can make it anywhere.
   
   
2. If everyone in the world lost there sight, what material things could you let go of? What values and beliefs would you shift in your life.       Some people hide behind so many "things" they themselves get lost in the clutter. And others live a life without attachments to external wealth. To live with both is fine, its where there is imbalance we find unhappiness.
   With any purchase, for your financial and emotional health, ask yourself,  Will this add to the quality of my life or simply take from it?
   
   
3. What would you do if money never existed. What kind of passions or interests would you follow, share or experience. Anything your interested in I guarantee someone is doing it and earning a living.       Whatever you would really like to do, either make it a part of your daily routine or start asking yourself quality questions on how to make it a vehicle for income, purpose and passion in your life.
   
   
4. If you had to achieve one great thing in your life, just one thing that will leave a legacy, what would it be? It can be as powerful as an being an outstanding mother, friend or lover - to being a man with true integrity. Once you’ve imagined yourself the person you want to become, ask yourself, what are you willing to do in order to become and attract it?
   
   
5. How would you describe yourself if you couldn’t use any labels such as your profession, academics, economic status, religion or interests?  As difficult as this sounds, its to help us realize that all of these things are only representative of 1% of who we are and what we’re about to become. Labels themselves can be trappings, limiting our experiences and opportunities to learn and become more.       When we open our mind and begin to connect at levels without labels, that’s where we can begin to really understand each other and connect at higher levels. War is the height of separation, peace is the heart of connecting.
   
   
6. What if that 5 year old you that dreamed and believed anything was possible was sitting there in front of you today? Would they be happy and sing for joy of where they are today, or would they stand there arms crossed wanting to kick your butt? The reason children develop, grow and experience so many things in such a short amount of time is because they haven’t learned yet to set limitations on themselves. Reclaim childhood dreams, and consider sharing with the 5 year old you, an endless life of growth and limitless experiences.
   
   
7. If fear were really an illusion, what fear would you defeat?  
   Fear controls a lot of our progress and actions. It also takes up our time, energy focus and ability to attract new and better things into our life. The ability to say no, not only frees us from the past, it allows new things to come into our future. If fear is controlling your decision, and if change is good for you and others – then its not a maybe, it's a must to defeat. That’s where the passion, excitement and joy lies in life.

When I was in my early 30's I felt stuck. My father looked at all my financial success, the long hours in my business and my suffering relationship and said, “Erik sure your successful, but I what I also see is that your slowing becoming more and more trapped." He was right, I worked over 12 hours a day building my company, studied at night, ate, slept and that’s it. No extra time left or energy to nurture my wellbeing, my passions or my most importantly my marriage and relationships. They all suffered and some even suffocated.

Please take this gift. Ask yourself if you really knew in 6 months your life would end, what would you change? I promise being truly honest with yourself and setting the right path will change your life and destiny forever. If your scared but really want change, find quality peers to support you, or contact me for private results coaching. Every step no matter how small today will slowly unravel a path before you that in 2 months and 2 years from now will give you have completely new level of experiences, fulfillment, love and joy.

 
With many blessings,
Erik Kikuchi