At some point during our lives, we find ourselves stuck in a place, a rut, if you will, that we can’t seem to get out of. We know there is more to this life than what we’re experiencing now, but how do we get there?
Feeling stuck happens to all of us. It’s that feeling of being uncertain about your future or being unsatisfied with where you are in life. The good news is that it’s possible to get out of this rut and make progress towards your goals. All you need is a little guidance and some self-reflection.
A good way to get unstuck is to sit down with a pen and paper and jot down some of these questions. Then, take the time to answer them honestly.
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1 What do I want to achieve in life?
It’s important to be clear on your goals in order to move forward. What have you achieved so far? Having and setting goals is crucial to success and ultimate happiness.
2 What are my strengths and weaknesses?
Knowing what you’re good at and where you need improvement can help you make better decisions. Once you determine these two things, you will be more prepared to set realistic goals.
3 What are my values?
Understanding your values can help you make choices aligned with your beliefs. Are you not giving enough time and attention to the things that matter the most to you? Oftentimes, we sacrifice our values for others.
4 What’s holding me back?
Is it fear, lack of resources, or something else? Identify what’s preventing you from progressing. When we take the time to dig deep to see what’s really holding us back, we often find that it’s just fear or procrastination.
5 Who do I look up to?
Think about who you admire and what qualities they have. How can you incorporate those qualities into your own life? Is it a colleague or maybe even a family member? Use their successes and strengths to motivate you to start making changes.
6 What makes me happy?
Consider what activities or experiences bring you joy and how to incorporate more of them into your life. So many of us give up our own happiness to make other people happy. You need to stop doing that. Your happiness is of the utmost importance.
7 What am I passionate about?
Identify the things that you are most passionate about and explore ways you can turn them into a career or hobby. You won’t find joy in repeatedly doing things that don’t bring you joy.
8 What are my priorities?
It’s important to prioritize your goals and responsibilities to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Too often, our priorities get set on the back burner because of other things. Have a look and see what they are and how to incorporate them back into your life.
9 What are my financial goals?
Plan your financial goals so that you can achieve them and be financially secure. It’s crucial to set money goals. Many of us see our monthly income as the be-all to end-all, but could there be more? How much more money do you need to make to live the lifestyle you dream of?
10 What am I afraid of?
Identify your fears and find ways to overcome them so that they don’t hold you back. Fear is crippling and will keep you from achieving greatness. Face your fears and start jumping out of your comfort zone!
11 Who is important to me?
Think about the people who are important to you and how you can maintain and improve those relationships. Are you spending too much time with people who don’t matter (or respect/deserve your time) and not enough with the ones who do?
12. Where do I want to live?
Consider where you want to live and what kind of community you want to be a part of. Remember, you’re not a tree. You’re not stuck anywhere. If there is somewhere else you would rather live, figure out a way to make it happen. Everything is possible.
13 What makes me unique?
Identify what sets you apart from others and use it to your advantage. Can you take a special gift or talent you have and go do something fun and wonderful in your community? Jot down all the things that make you unique.
14 What have I accomplished so far?
Reflect on your past accomplishments and feel good about what you’ve achieved. Is there something you’ve always wanted to accomplish and haven’t yet? What’s holding you back from that?
15 What can I do to improve myself?
Think about how you can improve yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. No one is perfect. We all have weaknesses and things we can do to become better humans. What do you need to work on?
16 What can I do to help others?
Think about how you can use your skills and talents to impact others positively. What do you love to do and spend your time doing? You can take one of your special gifts and use it to help someone else. Remember, it’s a gift, and gifts are meant to be given away or shared.
17 What are my long-term goals?
Think about where you want to be in 5, 10, or even 20 years. This is so important. Without goals, we don’t progress. Write out some of the goals you would like to achieve in 1 year, 5 years, and longer, but remember to make them realistic.
18 What are my short-term goals?
Think about what you can do right now to move towards your long-term goals. You’re not going to get unstuck if you don’t start taking action on some goals! Even little baby steps are better than nothing.
19 Are there people in my life I need to let go of?
This is a tough one but a question that you absolutely must answer. Sometimes, the people in our lives hold us back from living the life we truly want and doing the things that bring us joy. Jot down who no longer brings value to your life and has become toxic—time to let them go.
20 Who can I turn to for support?
Don’t be afraid to seek support from family, friends, or professionals when needed. People truly do want to help. All we have to do is ask.
Conclusion
Feeling stuck in life is a common experience that everyone goes through at some point. The good news is that it’s possible to break out of this rut and achieve your goals. By asking yourself these 20 questions, you can gain clarity, direction, and motivation to move forward towards a more fulfilling life. Remember that progress takes time and effort, but with the right mindset and support, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
