Jelena Dincic
A lot of us seem to rush through our days without really stopping to reflect on our lives. We’re too busy with work, family, chores, and all that other stuff, that we forget to ask ourselves if we’re happy where we are and where we’re headed.
Self-reflection is a pretty powerful tool that can help us gain insight into our thoughts and desires so that we can make the right decisions about our lives.
Sounds good, right?
If you’re interested in practicing self-reflection, these 15 questions will help you on your way to self-awareness and growth.
1) What are my top priorities for the day?
It’s a good idea to start each day by asking yourself what your priorities are.
That’s because it allows you to focus your attention and energy on the tasks ahead. This is especially important if you’re someone who has a million things to get done. Reflecting on what your priorities are will ensure that you get those things done before tackling anything else.
It will also help reduce your stress by helping you manage your time more effectively.
How does that sound?
2) How can I improve my mindset or attitude today?
Maybe you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, maybe you had a rough night, or maybe the previous day was a disaster.
If you’re not feeling particularly enthusiastic about today, I get it.
But it’s important to remember that today is a new day, and as such, it doesn’t have to be bad. It could be great, in fact. That’s why you need to change your attitude.
Take a few moments to be mindful. Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings. Accept them.
Now, it’s time to let go of your negative mindset and look forward to the world of possibilities today could bring. Can you see them?
3) What am I grateful for?
I like to end each day by making a mental note of what I’m grateful for.
I mean it’s easy to get lost in chasing the next big thing or complaining about what went wrong, we tend to forget what actually went right and what’s good in our lives.
Practicing gratitude is essential for self-reflection because it allows us to take stock of all the good things in our lives, even during challenging times. It helps us remember to appreciate the positive aspects of our lives and be thankful for what we have.
So, you can make a mental note like me, or if you prefer, you can keep a gratitude journal or make a list on your phone. The important thing is to remember to take a few moments each day to think about everything that you’re grateful for.
4) Am I living my life in alignment with my values and beliefs?
This is super important because it will help you stay on track and live a life that reflects your values and beliefs.
Think about it: You don’t want to wake up one day when you’re old, filled with regret about all the things you did – the compromises you made. Because when it comes to the important stuff, you shouldn’t be making compromises.
That’s why it’s important to check in with yourself every day and if you’re uneasy about something or you feel in your gut that it goes against everything that you stand for, then you need to make the necessary changes.
Trust me, nothing is worth selling your soul.
5) What are my greatest strengths?
It’s true, we all have strengths. You may not think of yourself as having a lot to offer or being good at anything, but you are!
That’s where the power of self-reflection comes in.
Ask yourself, and really focus, “What are my greatest strengths?”
Here are some examples:
- People skills
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Creativity
- Determination
- Optimism
- Organization
You get the gist…
Once you’ve identified your greatest strengths, ask yourself how you can use them today!
6) What are my biggest weaknesses?
And naturally, just as we all have strengths, we also have weaknesses.
But that’s nothing to be ashamed of.
When it comes to weaknesses, it’s important to use self-reflection to identify them in order to work on them.
Don’t think of weakness as something negative, but rather, as a challenge to get over.
7) Am I taking care of myself?
I’m talking about your physical, emotional, and mental health.
So, are you?
It’s easy to forget about yourself when you’re so busy thinking about everyone and everything else.
But guess what – that’s not sustainable. If you neglect your well-being and your health, eventually you’re going to break down.
To avoid this happening, make sure to put some time aside each day to check in with yourself and see how you’re doing.
Ask yourself, “What can I do for myself to feel better?”
This could be anything from getting more sleep to spending more time doing fun things with your friends to making an appointment with your therapist.
8) Am I making progress toward my long-term goals?
Well, are you?
It’s important to remind yourself of what you set out to do and why. And while you’re at it, take the opportunity to take note of the progress you’ve made and if need be, to adjust your strategy.
You may even find that your goals and priorities have changed over time, and that’s ok. That’s what self-reflection is there for.
9) Am I being true to myself?
The truth is that this is a very important question to ask. It’s important to be honest with yourself and to live a life that reflects who you are and what you believe in.
And if the answer is “no, not really” then I strongly suggest taking some more time to reflect on why that is the case and what you could do to change that.
Does that make sense?
10) Am I allowing limiting beliefs to hold me back?
Unfortunately, this is something that a lot of people do – and that includes me.
So what exactly are limiting beliefs?
They’re things we tell ourselves about ourselves or the world around us that keep us from reaching our full potential.
For example, we tell ourselves:
- “They wouldn’t hire me, they’re looking for someone with a much better CV”
- “I’m not good-looking enough, they’d never say yes to a date”
- “I’m not smart enough”
- “I’m too old to go back to school”
Limiting beliefs don’t just hold someone back, they can also have a negative impact on their mental health.
But what can you do?
- Start by using self-reflection to identify them
- Challenge your limiting beliefs and ask yourself if they’re really true
- Next, replace them with positive beliefs. It could help to come up with some positive affirmations such as, “I know how to do this job, they’re gonna love my CV”
- Take action – actively work toward achieving your goals. You may have to start with small steps at first but that’s ok, the important thing is that you’re doing something
11) What can I do today to step out of my comfort zone?
Here’s the thing:
It’s important to step out of our comfort zones every once in a while, it helps us learn about ourselves and about the world around us.
It allows us to experience new things, think outside the box, take risks, and feel truly alive. Essentially, it pushes us to grow and reach our full potential.
12) What did I do well today?
This is a good question to ask yourself at the end of each day. It means you’re holding yourself accountable.
But that’s not all.
It also gives you a chance to recognize your accomplishments and motivates you to keep doing the right thing…
13) What could I have done better today?
Well, nobody is perfect.
Taking the time to practice-self reflection is important because it gives you a chance to take stock of all the things you could have done differently or done better. It helps you learn from your mistakes and strive to do better next time.
14) What am I looking forward to tomorrow?
There’s almost always something to look forward to.
Whether it’s having pancakes for breakfast, or seeing a certain someone at work, there are plenty of things to look forward to – you just need to take the time to reflect.
Knowing that there’s something to look forward to the next day will improve your mood and your sleep, and will have you starting your day with a positive attitude.
Sounds good, right?
15) Does my life have purpose?
We’re gonna end with THE BIG question.
I’m not telling you this to scare you, because, yes, it can be a scary question to ask yourself, especially if the answer is “no”.
But the trust is that I’m not trying to scare you, I’m trying to help you.
I want you to use the power of self-reflection to find your purpose.
Ask yourself:
- What makes me happy?
- What am I really passionate about?
- What gives you joy?
- What do you care most deeply about?
Look at your past experiences – what did you find most meaningful?
Think about all the things that are important to you and all the things that give you a sense of purpose. It’s a lot of food for thought, but it’s a sure way to find your purpose in life.
