3 Powerful Questions That Could Change Your Life

Ever had one of those conversations, either with other people
or with yourself, that goes something like this: One day I
will do what I want to do ...(write a book, travel the world,
run my own business ... you fill in the blanks) or If only I

Whenever I hear myself say things like that, I ask myself
the following 3 questions:

1. What if I could do (whatever I'm putting off) now?

Many of us find all kinds of excuses for not changing - just
yet. It's as if we're waiting for some good fairy or
equivalent to come along and do it for us. Maybe we have to
wait until our lives get really unbearable before we do
anything.  I have a friend who desperately wants to do
something else for a living but is currently 'too busy' to
even think about it.

Maybe we're in our comfort zone and, of course, once we're
comfy it becomes too much effort to change.

Asking yourself: 'what if I could make the change now?'
causes you to really think what your life would be like if
you made certain changes. If it's not a future you want just
now, then that's fine. (However, you might want to ask
yourself: If not now, when? How bad does it have to get
before you make any changes?)

If it's a future you do want, you now need to go on to
Question 2.

2. Why do I want to change things?

I find it's vital to ask myself WHY want change. This
provides me with the motivation to make it.  I need a
reminder for those moments of weakness, tiredness, apathy -
you know, when 'life' just gets in the way! My reminders
take many forms, such as a post-it note on my computer
screen, a little note on my make-up mirror or on the fridge
door. Do whatever works for you.

So I now have certainty that I want to change and I have my
motivation. The next question is the one that always gets me
going. Literally.

3. What's the smallest thing I can do now towards my goal?

Whenever I find myself putting off doing something, I take
some action, however small, towards doing it, e.g. if it's
an article I need to write, I get hold of pen and paper and
write down the title; if it's going to the gym, I put on my
gym kit; if it's changing my life, I ask myself 'why?'.

These small steps get me started on the road and once I've
started, I might as well keep going. The secret is always to
make each step a small one so that you don't get daunted or
put off.

Before you know it, a whole series of small steps has
equalled a giant one and you've made some changes.

Is this what you want? If it is, what's stopping you?
Go for it!

Barbara Buffton was a qualified careers adviser
who one day decided to take her own advice
and change her career! She has had four books
published, including Follow Your Dream. Check out her website www.people-developers.com for more information.