As we write this in late 2020, the world has changed. We have seen the coronavirus pandemic, national lock-downs, economies in free-fall, racial tensions internationally and locally, political extremism, and more. It adds up to a world in real turmoil such as most have never seen in their lifetimes. The future seems uncertain. These are troubling times. Many of us feel shocked, disorientated, rather lost, and unsure how to move forward. It’s as-if we have to re-learn how the world works and how we fit into it all.

This scenario affects almost all aspects of our lives, which makes it all the more challenging. It’s overwhelming and it can be hard to know “where to start” in re-calibrating ourselves to this new-normal that is emerging. This is really a large, complex, deeply-personal matter best addressed with the help of psychologists, life-coaches, and other professional advisors (e.g. financial and investment advisors). Please do consider seeking professional help where it is appropriate – we all need professional expertise at some stage, and this may well be a time when seeking qualified help is a really good idea.

All that being said, sometimes we can make quite a good start at “life review” by asking some important questions. The trick is to ask good honest tough questions. Even more than that, the secret lies in brave honest answers, even if some seem surprising at first. So, have a look at these questions. We suggest you start by trying an “instant & intuitive” one-word-or-one-phrase answer (inside 5 seconds) and then, later, pause to think each question through carefully. Some of these questions will seem easy-to-answer (some may even seem like duplicates to you) while others may not be so clear for you – that’s OK so just answer as best you can, being brutally honest at all times. There are no correct and no incorrect answers – just the truth (which may help you) and not-the-truth (which just won’t).

  • What has changed in my life in 2020?
  • How important is work?
  • How important is money?
  • How important is family?
  • How important are friends?
  • How important is physical health?
  • How important is emotional or mental health?
  • When am I happiest?
  • When am I most miserable?
  • What is the purpose of my life?
  • How well am I?
  • How well do I want to be?
  • What stops me being more well?
  • What are my top-three wellness priorities?
  • What do I need to get rid of / out of my life?
  • What do I need to bring in to my life?
  • What is the best hour of my day?
  • What is the worst hour of my day?
  • Who adds value to my life?
  • Who does not add value to my life?
  • What are my dreams?
  • How realistic are my dreams?
  • What am I doing about my dreams?
  • What have I learned in 2020?

Now…….here is a “magic moment”. You have considered these questions (and by all means add more questions that seem relevant to you). Life is just always so busy…but you have paused today so this is a magic moment where you can truly learn some things about yourself, your priorities, your goals, your wellness, and more. This is insight, or the beginnings of insight at least. Insight is the key to behaviour change (we cannot manage what we do not see or do not understand or cannot measure). You now have the key, or at least you know where to find this key (it’s in the questions and the answers). Now, what are you going to do next?

Please remember to seek professional help if you feel you are battling with all of this, which is entirely understandable (many battle).

Please comment below on what these questions have meant for you and what you’re doing about or with them. Let us learn from each other in these challenging and unprecedented times.