5 essential questions to start the new year

5 essential questions to start the new year

And now (drum roll), the new year begins.

I’m tired of hearing people tell me to write my goals down.  I always lose the paper on which they are written.  And I no longer set much hope in ‘the power of positive thinking.’  I’m fairly positive and it comes more from living in the present, taking care of personal flaws by forgiving others theirs, and reaffirming my faith in a good (and affirming) higher power.

I begin the new year by assessing the previous one: what did I leave unfinished; what did I hope for and didn’t realize; who (or whom?) did I miss loving,whose love did I not acknowledge?

I begin by scheduling a business meeting with my wife and partner. This is foundational and critical to being centered in what I will do next.

I then ask my business clients what they hope for in their relationship with me in the coming months: Are we aligned in our shared purpose?  What new information do we have that will affect current and future strategic thinking?

I look at my reading list.  Is it what I really want to be reading?

I think about arranging alone times with my children – a check in for each of us.  Are we current, are we missing anything, do they need something from me that I haven’t been made aware of…that sort of thing.

Then the heavy lifting starts.

Goals are good but only if they are realistically grounded in my deepest sense of purpose which itself is grounded in legacy awareness.  It’s the big ‘who am I really?’ question.

Here are a few questions to reflect on, that ‘feed’ that larger question:

1. Who do I love?  And, do I make sure my loving them is known to them?
2. How do I relate to money?  Is it a vehicle for the larger good of family and community or only a means of self indulgence?
3. What does my work ‘mean?  Is my work integrated with my deepest intention, my personal vision and ongoing sense of purpose?
4. How do I honor this green planet that I am privileged to live on?  And, how do I honor this body that I count on to support my intentions?
5. Who is my ‘tribe?’  Am I actively creating a mini community that encourages the best in me?

Each of these can, of course, be expanded and they can be shaped into goals.  But, your response to them cannot be realized until you spend some quality time addressing them.

We are gifted with life.  Life expands its gifts in direct proportion to our daily investment in our own inner work.

Stephen W. Frueh PhD
“leadership capacities grow.. from the inside out”
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