Indeed an excellent list of questions Brigitte. This one is my favorite and I've been using it for many years. "Is the thing I work on what I want to work on most?" This has been a guiding force of incredible value in my professional life. If the answer is "no", I adjust and move toward the thing that most interests me. That has produced tremendous results in creating work that I love.
Thank you for sharing this, and I so agree, Rick. But what a wonderful freedom and abundance (well, plus self-determination) in our lives that allow us to be guided by such a powerful question!
Love this post, Brigitte!! I think I’ll return to this one a few times.
I also really liked the intro. (I know everyone loved the questions and YES I did too, they are all so good!) But as someone who thinks a lot about the inner life, I adore the way you framed this. Thank you for sharing from your inner treasure box!!
(That’s actually how your style in general feels now that I think about it. A gentle & generous sharing of your inner life.)
Great set of questions. The ones I was more familiar with are the one-or-two way door (Jeff Bezos) and what-programmed-you (Naval) questions.
One question I like to ask myself these days is "What would the child version of you think?" It cuts to the vibrancy, innocence, and joy that is either present or missing with whatever it is I'm doing.
I love this post, such a thought-provoking structure! I have always loved this question:
"How may I be complicit in creating the conditions in my life I say I don’t want?"
Sometimes it's such a punch to the gut, as it's easier to imagine myself as purely a victim of circumstance ◡̈ But I always find it illuminating when I make an honest assessment of this question.
I love how these questions don’t demand answers so much as they invite a kind of inner unfolding. The one that struck me hardest was “Would I do {X} if I could never talk about it?” That question strips away ego so fast it’s dizzying.
One question that’s lived with me for a long time is: What’s the quietest part of my life trying to tell me? I don’t always want to hear the answer, but when I actually stop and listen, it usually shows me where I’m out of sync with myself.
Hi Blanca, thank you for engaging with these questions and commenting with an additional one that has been useful for you – and wow, it’s a great one for me (and I’m sure other readers) too!
It’s so critical to live what one really is, and that question gets to that core…even though it’s hard not to be avoidant at times.
Brilliant post. I've saved them to check back in on.
Two of my favourites are:
- What would you work on, do or play with if you had complete financial freedom, so money was not an issue or motivator. I like this one, because so many of the answers are things you can do today, right now, and money really isn't an issue.
- What would you try to do if I could guarantee success?
And another one which I haven't made peace with: what would you try to do, even if you knew you would fail.
Indeed an excellent list of questions Brigitte. This one is my favorite and I've been using it for many years. "Is the thing I work on what I want to work on most?" This has been a guiding force of incredible value in my professional life. If the answer is "no", I adjust and move toward the thing that most interests me. That has produced tremendous results in creating work that I love.
Thank you for sharing this, and I so agree, Rick. But what a wonderful freedom and abundance (well, plus self-determination) in our lives that allow us to be guided by such a powerful question!
Love this post, Brigitte!! I think I’ll return to this one a few times.
I also really liked the intro. (I know everyone loved the questions and YES I did too, they are all so good!) But as someone who thinks a lot about the inner life, I adore the way you framed this. Thank you for sharing from your inner treasure box!!
(That’s actually how your style in general feels now that I think about it. A gentle & generous sharing of your inner life.)
A belated thank you to you, Jenny! ✨
Great set of questions. The ones I was more familiar with are the one-or-two way door (Jeff Bezos) and what-programmed-you (Naval) questions.
One question I like to ask myself these days is "What would the child version of you think?" It cuts to the vibrancy, innocence, and joy that is either present or missing with whatever it is I'm doing.
Yess… such a good question, love it!
I love this post, such a thought-provoking structure! I have always loved this question:
"How may I be complicit in creating the conditions in my life I say I don’t want?"
Sometimes it's such a punch to the gut, as it's easier to imagine myself as purely a victim of circumstance ◡̈ But I always find it illuminating when I make an honest assessment of this question.
Thank you for reminding me of that question when we talked a few days ago. Or did I suppress it unconsciously haha 😜?
"How may I be complicit in creating the conditions in my life I say I don’t want?"
To which I say ... WOW.
Knowing I've been my own worst enemy (by a factor of 100) is one thing, but this question *really* helps to flesh out the "how" behind it all.
I love how these questions don’t demand answers so much as they invite a kind of inner unfolding. The one that struck me hardest was “Would I do {X} if I could never talk about it?” That question strips away ego so fast it’s dizzying.
One question that’s lived with me for a long time is: What’s the quietest part of my life trying to tell me? I don’t always want to hear the answer, but when I actually stop and listen, it usually shows me where I’m out of sync with myself.
Hi Blanca, thank you for engaging with these questions and commenting with an additional one that has been useful for you – and wow, it’s a great one for me (and I’m sure other readers) too!
It’s so critical to live what one really is, and that question gets to that core…even though it’s hard not to be avoidant at times.
Brilliant post. I've saved them to check back in on.
Two of my favourites are:
- What would you work on, do or play with if you had complete financial freedom, so money was not an issue or motivator. I like this one, because so many of the answers are things you can do today, right now, and money really isn't an issue.
- What would you try to do if I could guarantee success?
And another one which I haven't made peace with: what would you try to do, even if you knew you would fail.
These are really great questions Brigitte. Can I add another one of my favourites to the list?
'What's the most interesting question I could ask right now?'
Aah, what a gorgeous question, yes! 🙌🏼
…my immediate mind question to share is ratter anonymous and common…what is missing from the world?…
…or existed and has now vanished…great questions I wonder about too 🥹
Great questions, all of them. Thanks for sharing.
It reminds me of a wonderful book by Hollywood producer Brian Grazer: "A Curious Mind." Highly recommended, especially for curious souls like you.
Thank you Larry, also for this book recommendation! Having “curiosity conversations” like Brian Grazer is so inspiring 🪄
I could say yes but is that the best thing to do at this moment? OR does this thing I want to keep serve a relationship in my life?
I like these questions. Thank you, Dana 👌🏼
Love this!
Thank you Taylor! I hope you are doing well.