use these 9 questions to find your path
you can’t see the spot on which you stand, meaning: it’s difficult to see all parts of yourself clearly.
one of the major benefits of having people in your life is that they can see you and reflect things to you that you don’t see and/or take for granted.
i have a hunch you’ve rarely (if at all) gone to the people in your orbit and asked them to share specific feedback with you to support your growth and development.
most people love to help. they just need to be asked. it makes them feel good to know that they can contribute to you in a meaningful way. might you give them that chance, and, in turn, create an opportunity for greater self-understanding?
yes, it may feel vulnerable. and yes, it will be worth it.
here’s how this works: reach out to 10 people who know you from different times and parts of your life (family, friends, colleagues, etc). ask them if they’ll answer 9 questions about you to help you with your growth. tell them that it’s not a reciprocal exercise and they should not worry about being candid as you won’t rebut it, but simply thank them. offer to have them do it in writing or by voice. depending on their preference, share the questions with them to answer and send back, or interview them and write their answers down.
once you’ve collected them all, read them, not taking anyone’s feedback as gospel. instead, look for patterns that emerge and see what you discover about yourself. do your best not to fixate on anything.
here are the questions:
what do you see as my key strengths?
what is most distinguishing or unique about me?
what, if anything, is bothersome to you about me?
what do you or others rely on me for when the chips are down?
could you tell me something about myself that i don't already know?
when am i most powerful?
when am i most inspired?
if you could wish one thing for me in the next year, what would it be?
i hope you’ll utilize these to do this exercise. i suspect it will unlock something for you.