25 Powerful Questions To Ask Yourself Daily That Will Bring You A Bit Of Clarity
There’s nothing like asking ourselves powerful questions to cut through it and help us to see what’s really going on.
Actually, in terms of high impact self-reflection, questions are pretty tough to beat.
The reason for that is, questions are unique in among the other contemplative practices, because when you ask yourself a question, your brain has to answer: it can’t leave that shiz hanging. It could be a day, two days, a week; that response is gonna come.
And the better the quality of the powerful questions you ask, the more real you can get with yourself. Or as Tony Robbins says “Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.”
So what are some powerful questions that you can ask yourself at the beginning, middle and end of each day?
Beginning Of Day Powerful Questions
How am I feeling right now?
Did I wake up on the wrong side? Is it the wrong side, every single day? If so, what’s up with that?
Is there a longing that I have that is going unattended to? What am I avoiding? Am I giving enough attention to my bedtime routine and sleep quality? Did I go to bed telling myself a negative story about life?
How am I feeling about this day ahead?
What am I looking forward to and not looking forward to? Is there anything I am excited about? Dreading? What is the source of the excitement and dread?
Does this question make me feel uncomfortable/irritated? What is the source of that discomfort and irritation?
Do I feel neither ‘here nor there’ about the day? How does apathy feel in my body?
What am I saying no to?
What aspects of the day or myself am I already in resistance to? Did I find fault in the person in the mirror? Just what is the purpose of that inner critic?
What can I accept that I can’t change?
What aspect of my current circumstances isn’t optimal, and that’s putting it nicely. Can I choose it anyway?
What is the most important (not urgent) thing that I do?
Which parts of the day require my total presence? Who is it important that I come through for? Why is it important?
What have I agreed to do, that I do not want to do?
Have I agreed to spend the time in a way that I would rather not? Why did I do that? Are they ‘good’ reasons (I’m lending a hand) or ‘bad’ reasons (I felt pushed into it)?
Who is judging what’s good and what’s bad?
Who do I need to be for this day to work?
Do I need to be productive and focused? Do I need to be patient, kind and gentle?
What can I do today that will be a unique expression of me?
Who can I call and have an honest chat with? What can I do for me and my health? What small actions can I take in my personal projects? What can I learn that I care about knowing?
How can I be more of ‘me’ at work and at home?
What small steps can I take to show that I am serious about loving myself?
What five or ten minute actions can I take that will move me towards the future of my wildest dreams?
What would scare me slightly, that I could do today?
What small thing would represent a victory over myself? Could I chat to the cute waitress? Could I notice what’s going on around me more? Could I create some space in the day to be left alone with my thoughts?
Check ins
Where is my attention going right now?
Am I being present to my tasks? If not, where are my thoughts going? What effects is that having? Is there anything I need to learn from that?
How am I not being generous (with my time/words/presence)?
Am I holding back on my work or other people? If so, why?
How am I feeling right now?
What is my emotional state in this moment? Am I feeling relaxed and calm? Slightly nervous/anxious? What sensations accompany these feelings?
How is my breathing?
Is my breathing shallow and upper respiratory, or full bodied? Am I holding my breath right now?
Powerful Questions To Ask At The End Of The Day
What was the most important thing I did today?
Did I give someone my presence and attention when it was needed? Did I get to that barre class even though I really couldn’t be bothered? Did I say no when I needed to? Did I stifle a moan/pull to argue and find a more empowering way of being?
What gave me the most joy today?
Maybe the same things as above. Maybe just your morning bagel.
What caused me the most conflict and stress?
Why was it stressful? Why really? What’s the story I am telling myself?
What am I grateful for?
Record five things.
Do I need to clear anything up?
Did I say something that wasn’t truthful, or compassionate, or both? Do I need to apologize for anything? What did I not say that I need to say?
What did I learn?
Did the course of the day highlight any perspective/behavioral shifts needed?
What do I need to let go?
You could accompany this one with a little sing song.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0MK7qz13bU]