School of Fish: Atlantis Resort Nassau Bahamas
I am finished with the book, Live What You Love, by Bob & Melinda Blanchard. I just bought it yesterday and I basically tore through it, deeply taking in each sentence.
I don’t know why this book is classified in the Self-Improvement section of Barnes & Noble. It’s actually even labeled on the back, “SELF-HELP.”
It’s not self-help, though; at least, not in the typical sleepy style of most of the “unhelpful” self-improvement books out there.
I suppose it could be categorized as self-improvement, but I really consider it inspiration. The book is a collection of memories, detailed accounts of several points in Bob and Melinda Blanchard’s incredible journey of living what they love.
There are several wonderful “Remember” pages full of Do’s and Dont’s, and I felt like I was etching each one on my heart as I read them. Things like “Don’t stay in a job you don’t enjoy” and “Do ask yourself as many questions as it takes to discover where your passion lies.”
It’s that second one – the one about asking questions, that brings me to this post today. In a post called Define Your Goals, Bob and Melinda talk about asking yourself questions and more questions until you discover what it is you really love. After all, we can’t live what we love until we discover what ‘what we love’ really is, right?
Live What You Love: 50 Questions to Ask Yourself
Probing into myself isn’t easy. I’m so thick-headed. I can adequately probe someone else, but when it comes time to ask myself, “what do I want?” I always come up blank. So as an exercise for myself and you, I’ve created a list of questions to ask ourselves to help define that passion. They are not in any particular order, except for my own random stream of consciousness. I tried to avoid common cliche questions, as I’ve never found them helpful and you probably wouldn’t either.
- How do you really feel about what you are doing right now at this exact moment?
- What is your fondest childhood memory? Who was there? What was going on?
- How comfortable are you in your home?
- How comfortable are you in your town/city? State?
- What kind of weather do you like?
- Do you believe you can have your cake and eat it, too? Why or why not?
- What is one quality about your parent(s) that you really loved?
- What is one quality about your parent(s) that you really do not like?
- Do you like what you are doing for money?
- What do you feel is your greatest skill?
- What do you feel is your greatest personality trait?
- Do you feel like anything in your life is holding you back from ultimate joy? List everything.
- Write a paragraph or two about your ideal weekend/time away from work. Include location, sights, smells, food, activities, and people.
- How close are you in proximity to the people you absolutely adore the most?
- What do you want out of life?
- How do you think people will remember you, when you die?
- How do you want people to remember you, when you die?
- Write your epitaph - the sentence you would want to appear on your grave.
- What is one thing you could do today, this week, this month, or this year to get a step closer to creating the legacy in #17?
- How do you feel about your home furnishings?
- Do you have a hobby that you like to do but you don’t get paid for? What is it?
- Does money hold you back from anything? What does it hold you back from? Be very specific.
- What do you think of passionate people?
- Do you know anyone who you feel is living their dream? Who? What do they do all day and night? Be very specific.
- Do you think you can be completely satisfied living where you do right now?
- What do you want to accomplish?
- Do you want to change your career?
- Do you wish you lived closer to a certain someone or group of people?
- Do you wish you lived in a foreign country or a far away state?
- What are three things that you do everyday that make you totally happy?
- What do you want to pass on to your children?
- What is something you have never tried but would like to?
- Are there things in life you wish you could reverse or make right?
- Do you feel like you have enough money to live the way you want to?
- Are you happy when you think about the upcoming day and all that it comes with?
- What do you find challenging?
- What do you find thrilling?
- What are three memories you haven’t yet created but you would like to?
- Do you feel energized when you work?
- Do you feel creative when you work?
- Describe what you consider work, and what you consider play. What are the differences?
- Do you feel blessed or lucky to wake up each day? How can you get to that point?
- If all of your debt was forgiven tomorrow, and you had a completely clean slate, what is the very FIRST thing you would change about your life?
- Where are three places you have always thought about living but never did?
- When do you want to retire?
- Is there an award or accolade you have always dreamed of winning or being recognized for?
- If you could learn how and money was not an issue, is there anything else you would do for work besides what you are doing now? Be specific.
- List three things you would immediately change about your work day if you were the boss (assumes you are not the boss).
- List three things you would immediately start doing on the weekends if you had the money.
- Imagine it is a big holiday and you are with your loved ones and you are living what you truly love. When they ask what you have been doing, what do you say in reply?
Which questions do you find difficult to answer? Why do you think that is?
© 2010, Tia Peterson. All rights reserved. This text may be reproduced with permission. Please contact tia@tiadpeterson.com to request permission to reuse this content. Thank you!
Some interesting questions to ponder! I am still trying to figure out what my passions are. (I guess most of us are still trying to answer that question, right?) It sounds like this was a pretty good book. I will have to check it out. Thanks!
[Reply]
Posted by Maggie | 28. Jun, 2010, 5:31 pmYou’re welcome! It is a GREAT book. For me, I know that I’m still figuring out my passions. I admire people that figure it out early on.
[Reply]
Posted by Tia Peterson | 28. Jun, 2010, 6:23 pmThanks for posting this Tia!!!!
It seems like a GREAT “First Blog” for me to write!
(May as well start the darn thing since I created the account a few weeks ago!?!?) lol
[Reply]
Tia Peterson Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 12:14 am
Good luck! Please let me know what the URL of your blog is once you get it launched.
[Reply]
Posted by Meg | 29. Jun, 2010, 10:34 pmwow,really, thank you for posting this! I am going to write these questions out and touroughly and honestly answer each one, as a way to become closer with myself. I am at an akward point in life with where i am at, and these all seem so relevant to me RIGHT NOW. I am ready to make some changes and I think this is a perfecct place to start ♥
[Reply]
Tia Peterson Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
You’re welcome, April. Hope it all goes well!
[Reply]
Posted by April | 01. Jul, 2010, 9:56 pmNice work Tia – I teach people Straight Talk on Tough Choices and these questions fit in nicely when “self actualizing”. With so many people economically challenged and in many cases with a very uncertain future using these types of “tools” can help gain clarity of thought to work through their issues and perhaps offer new insights and new directions. This thinking process for some people will suggest the choices they have to make about next steps, seeing opportunities differently and making better decisions. Thanks for creating this awareness and making this list available.
Norris Beren, Speaker, Author, Executive Coach
[Reply]
Tia Peterson Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Hi Norris – You’re welcome! Best wishes with your coaching business, it seems like you’re helping the people who need it most!
[Reply]
Posted by Norris Beren | 05. Jul, 2010, 5:33 amThe answers to all of these questions change daily depending on my current mood. It makes finding the ‘truth’ really hard. I have also compared my answers to similar questionnaires that I filled out about seven years ago – the responses could be from two different people! I am 42, in grad school, and still at a loss what I want to do ‘when I grow up’ / with the rest of my life. Any thoughts on that?
[Reply]
Posted by Sonja | 08. Jul, 2010, 9:36 amhttp://dleaward.blogspot.com/2010/07/50-questions.html
I answered these (and gave credit to where I got them from!)
Danielle recently posted..50 Questions
[Reply]
Posted by Danielle | 08. Jul, 2010, 3:15 pmDanielle – You’re incredible for answering all of these questions. I loved reading them on your blog. Awesome!
I “amplified” it and posted it everywhere. Good luck with everything.
http://dleaward.blogspot.com/2010/07/50-questions.html
[Reply]
Posted by Tia Peterson | 10. Jul, 2010, 1:48 pmI recommend buying a two foot globe and examining it very closely.
[Reply]
Posted by Dude | 15. Jul, 2010, 5:12 pmThis post was very inspirational. I think answereing them really helped me evaluate where I am in my life. Thanks!
Mugdha recently posted..Next stop- Colmar!
[Reply]
Posted by Mugdha | 24. Jul, 2010, 6:06 pmHi Mugdha – You’re welcome! Answering a few of them definitely helped me recalibrate priorities!
Tia Peterson recently posted..Question of the Week- Do You Consider Yourself Influential
[Reply]
Posted by Tia Peterson | 24. Jul, 2010, 9:27 pmThanks Tia for these questions, I will definitely answer all of them, when I do I’ll let you know.
Thanks again.
[Reply]
Posted by sergio lagos | 25. Jul, 2010, 12:13 amThese are definitely things worth thinking over, some are fairly obvious but there are a few others that are really profound. Thanks for posting!
Sarah Samways recently posted..“Mango Pickle Down River” – MIA
[Reply]
Posted by Sarah Samways | 25. Jul, 2010, 2:03 pmwow, those are definitely thought provoking
sir jorge recently posted..Jade Dagger Ninja Review
[Reply]
Posted by sir jorge | 30. Jul, 2010, 9:55 pmThis list is fantastic. If anyone is struggling and they’re not sure why I’m sure if they answered these questions the answer would appear. Fantastic. I’m printing them out for my journal!
[Reply]
Tia Peterson Reply:
August 12th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Thanks, Tess. I love the name Tess and I love the domain name The Bold Life. How awesome is that? Thanks for stopping by.
Tia Peterson recently posted..How to Write Without Being Overly Promotional
[Reply]
Posted by Tess The Bold Life | 12. Aug, 2010, 9:35 amgreat post! i will go through each question and get back to you
[Reply]
Posted by nicola from buyatruck | 13. Aug, 2010, 3:25 amQuestion 27.
I changed my career. I am system engineer, and worked in some companies, and I felt that I was not really happy in my job.
Now, I study Pshycology, and I have a nice job related with education and technology.
[Reply]
Posted by Gloria | 17. Aug, 2010, 7:36 pmThanks Tia, inspirational post you have here. Still searching the book.
Jackson recently posted..What is Minidisc
[Reply]
Posted by Jackson | 03. Sep, 2010, 12:47 am50 awesome questions. Ever noticed how tough it is to answer questions when it is relative to what you love.
Another amazing discovery is how much you realize you do not spend the time you would like doing what you love.
Living the life you love = Freedom! And, Freedom is so worth the fight you are going to have to go through in order to live it!
Love it!
Ron
teamcurtisfamily recently posted..QOD 09-06-2010 – Robert Kiyosaki
[Reply]
Posted by teamcurtisfamily | 06. Sep, 2010, 12:28 pm