Finding Clarity: Questions to Ask Yourself When You’re Feeling Lost

How are you doing? Like, how are you REALLY doing? Do you feel a little lost? A little stuck? A little confused? The world seems so uncertain right now. With all the quarantining,  social distancing, and all that comes with it, the future can seem daunting. There’s a lot going on, a lot of things changing, and a lot of things that seem to be standing still. It would seem that clarity is lacking. 

I’m sure there are dozens of questions running through your head lately – when will my kids go back to school? How long will we be social distancing? When will things go back to normal? Instead of focusing on the uncontrollable, let’s focus on what we CAN control. Because although it may be true that clarity is lacking in the world around us, that doesn’t mean it’s lacking within us. 

First let me say one thing, in caps so you know it’s extra important – CLARITY COMES FROM ACTION. I’ll say it again for the people in the back –

CLARITY. COMES. FROM. ACTION.

You can not and will not gain clarity by sitting on your butt wishing and hoping and thinking and praying and planning and dreaming (if you know that song let’s be friends). The only way to find out which path is right is to TAKE A STEP. I know this because I spent almost 2 years trying to figure out what I was meant to do with my life and made zero progress. It wasn’t until I finally forced myself to move in a new direction (what up graphic design!) that I found my path. I still don’t always know the right way or right answer, but I’ve learned that I’ll get there quicker if I start moving. 

These questions are meant to get your mind working towards action. Take your time and think deeply. Then find ways to act on your answers. 

Questions to Ask When You’re Feeling Lost

1. What is most important to me?
2. Who/what is my greatest motivation? What keeps me going when things get tough? 
3. What are some of my talents? (Both those that I recognize and that others have recognized in me)
4. How am I currently using these talents? Go through each one.  
5. What are my top 3 goals or desires right now?
6. Are there resources I have (relationships, tools, classes, etc) that I can use to accomplish my goals?
7. What would make me happy right now?
8.  Is there anything standing in the way of that happiness? 
9. What are things that I need to stop doing, say no to, or give up?
10. If money and the opinions of others were no object, what would I be doing with my life right now?
11. How do I define success? 
12. What is something I’d like to learn more about?
13. Is there an attribute I’d like to develop, practice and embody?
14. What is a habit I’d like to develop?
15. What is one thing I want to make sure I do in the next month? Next year? 5 years? Lifetime?

Looking for more resources? Take a look at my list of favorite books.

Feeling stressed? Read this blog post to find out why that can be a good thing!