Your life is missing something and you’re keeping it out

Your life is missing something and you’re keeping it out.

Now, read the last line again and notice your responsive feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.

Are you snapped to attention? Do you feel self-compassion or place blame? Do you make a quick account of your life experiences and the decisions you’ve made?

Now, while pausing briefly between each question, read the purposeful provocations here:

• Is there something missing from my life? If so, how am I keeping it out?

• What’s not working for me in my life, career, or relationships?

• What are three things that I’ve been tolerating in these areas?

• Do I hold myself back in certain ways? How?

• Am I waiting for something to go away before I take action?

• What scares me? Why?

• What’s the hardest thing in my life that I’ve had to overcome? How has it made me stronger?

• If I knew I couldn’t fail, what would I most want to have or accomplish?

• What am I really committed to, and what am I doing to show my commitment?

When I read these questions, I take deep breaths in with a long exhale. My eyes get big and I clench my jaw. My eyebrows raise instinctively. I look up and out the window in front of me. And the big decisions I’ve made in life and career flash through my mind. I almost can’t believe what I’m reading and part of me wishes I hadn’t even invited these questions into my life. But these deep questions are here now.

That’s me, but it’s decision time for you.

You can discount your ability to make meaningful change in your life or career.

You can move right onto the next thing you had planned, never giving this a second thought.

Or, you can welcome the interruption I just placed in front of you.

Whichever reaction describes you, it’s entirely reasonable and you shouldn’t judge yourself for having the reaction you did. Just take notice of your reaction and what it says about your current self. Then ask yourself if the life and career you have is different from the one you want. If so, you need to grow as a person.

Start toward your personal growth by using these questions to identify the life and career you want. Print them out. Copy and paste into a Google doc. Write your answers in a journal. Share with someone you love. Sink into this interruption.

Prove to yourself – and the many people rooting for you – that you’re resourceful and resilient. Bring in what you’ve been keeping out. Start here.