My favorite questions...

The right question is the perfect tool for analyzing an idea or a goal and determining if that  dea/goal is something we really ought to be doing....

By asking -- and answering -- some probing questions about what we're doing, we can focus our efforts, eliminate distractions, and reduce the time it takes to go from idea to reality.

Here are some of my favorite questions and why I think they are important to ask.

• Is this a NEED or a WANT?

  This helps prioritize how important an  idea/goal actually is. Needs take priority, on any "to do" list, while Wants always deserve a second look as they may be things that we can put off a little while longer.

• How committed am I to doing what needs to be done to make this happen?

  Often, even though we say we want a thing, we're not prepared to commit all the time, energy, and effort that's required to really make it happen. This question can prevent us wasting a lot of time and effort on goals that we're just not that in to.

• What is the truth here (or... Is that the truth)?

  This question helps us focus on what is true about a situation rather than just what we think about a situation, which may be very removed from the truth.

  It helps us be honest about our motives so that we come to a clearer understanding of what
  we're trying to do.

• Will this move me closer to, or farther away from, my goal(s)?

  Everything we do has a positive, negative, or neutral impact on our goals.

  By focusing only on those actions which move us towards our goals, we can make progress each and every day.

• Do I want to be remembered for this?

  All of our actions -- everythings we say and do -- become the legacy we leave behind, they become the memories our families and friends remember us by.

  Asking this question before we do or say anything (especially when we are angry, upset, and frustrated) can help insure we set the positive example we intend to be.

These are just a few questions to get you thinking more deeply about the goals you're working on.

There are plenty of other great questions -- I'll be highlighting more of them in the coming months in the Big Questions category -- but these are my go-to questions that I rely on for defining, refining, and outlining my goals. I hope they help!