I LOVE a good question.
In fact, the key thing to being a great Coach is about asking great questions.
Questions that allow us to see or notice our blind spots.
Or a question that challenges a Belief we have mistakenly thought was a ‘Fact’.
Or a question that just stops us in our tracks (allowing us to pause and broaden our perspective).
That is the sort of question I want to share today.
A track-stopping, mind-opening, and very pertinent Question.
My sister suggested a book called ‘Things That Matter‘ by Joshua Becker, who has been a serial minimalist for years (writing books and Blogs on the subject).
On her recommendation, I downloaded a sample of the book on my Kindle and dove straight in.
It was easy reading until I got to the BIG QUESTION.
A question the author encouraged me not to skip past.
But to sit with.
Right then, and right there.
So, I took him up on his suggestion.
And sat with the question.
I knew it was a great question; because the answer did not come quickly or easily.
I had to work for it.
So, I sat there some more.
And some more.
It was a goody, and a toughie.
Here is why.
An AWESOME Question can be Life Changing
As I previously said, a great question can change the course of your life.
It can narrow your focus to laser precision.
Which was what the book ‘Things That Matter‘ was essentially about.
Getting clear on the answer to the big question, so you get more focused on what matters, and get rid of the stuff that doesn’t really matter.
It also – very practically – helps you to determine what to say “Yes” to, and what to say “No” to.
Here is the very worthy question:
“If you were to die today, what is the one project you would be most disappointed that you weren’t able to complete?”
As the author of the book suggested to me, I encourage you so it with that question for a few moments, here and now.
“If you were to die today, what is the one project you would be most disappointed that you weren’t able to complete?”
Ponder briefly now, but later do sit in a place with no distractions and really drop deeply into it.
What comes up for you?
Like I said, it was not so easy for me.
I am 57, and have lived a pretty full life.
I have travelled to over 50 countries, lived and worked abroad, written books, hiked the Inca Trail, watched whale’s playtime in Alaska, sand boarded huge dunes in Namibia, found an amazing partner, and a bunch of other fascinating stuff that sounds a bit bucket-list(ish).
But talking buckets, this question was like a bucket of ice water over my head.
It called me to go deeper.
Broader.
And deeper still.
The thing that came up for me on my first deep dive was doing a longer pilgrimage (1-month) like the Camino de Santiago Trail between France and Spain.
Plus, for the last couple of years I have been intrigued by the origins of humanity, and the civilizational origins, so maybe a deeper guided tour (by non-mainstream experts), in Egypt, or parts of Mesopotamia.
Then, as I was writing this for you, the thought came to mind that I have always wanted to learn another language.
I have started and stopped the language learning things more times than some celebrities have had “corrective” surgeries.
That is – a LOT!
So maybe that is it.
What would it be for you?
In Summary
Ask yourself the RIGHT Question.
Then let that be your FOCUS.
Get rid of the stuff that either takes you in the opposite direction to that, or does not support it, with a clear “Yes” or “No”.
And finally, life is precious, so let’s use it wisely.
My Parting Words
I love a Question that stops me in my tracks and fires up my brain.
I love to figure things out.
I also love the idea of us focusing on the stuff that really matters.
To make life more meaningful.
So, I will be sitting with this question for the next few weeks and really seeing where it takes me.
And my parting words for you, are to encourage you to do the same.
Find a spot, free of distractions, and really really sit with it.
“If you were to die today, what is the one project you would be most disappointed that you weren’t able to complete?”
What comes up for you?
What needs to happen to make it a reality?
Even if it is one small step in that direction.
Let’s – both of us – get better at doing stuff that really matters.
Meaningfulness for me also equals FULFILLMENT.
Let’s experience more fulfilment, as a result of the quality of the choices me make.
Happy pondering.
Have a really deliciously inspiring day, and a week where you deeply ponder the BIG Question.
Quotable QUOTE:
“If you were to die today, what is the one project you would be most disappointed that you weren’t able to complete?” from the book ‘Things That Matter‘ by Joshua Becker.
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