Questions for Self-Development

“Self knowledge seems to be the major path of self-improvement…”

– Abraham Maslow

I read the above quote from Abraham Maslow this morning in his book Toward a Psychology of Being. Figuring out how we work as people is the very thing I help my clients do – whether coaching or training (live or online) to gain new skills to become a better communicator, entrepreneur, sports person, etc., to expand your ‘outside’ knowledge of the world; or to have a better knowledge of and relationship with yourself and your ‘inside’ drives, emotions, thoughts, and to develop personal strengths. Either way, both of these aspects ultimately work to enhance the other. All these things happen for my coaching and training clients.

Sticking with Maslow’s quote, today I’m asking you some deep questions for self-knowledge and self-improvement. Answer the questions in order as they will build a deepening understanding of yourself. The first questions will probably be fairly quick and ‘easy’ to answer. When you get to one that’s harder to answer, don’t give up or dismiss it; spend some time with it, ponder it. Hold in mind a question that seems important to you in the quieter moments as you go about your day. The answer to this kind of question (when it comes) can give you wonderful insights into your true nature. I’ve given a brief explanation of what might come up, or where your mind may go for some of the questions (the deeper ones I’ve left alone), but whatever you discover is right for you.

As Maslow said, “Self knowledge seems to be the major path of self improvement…” So for your own self-knowledge and self-development, ponder these questions deeply;

1. Who are you? (Here your first answer will probably be a role of some kind; a parent, a builder, a teacher, a sportsperson, etc.).
   1. Who else are you? And who else? (Probably more roles, but your mind will stretch and you’ll start to get more abstract in your thinking and recognise these are just different aspects of ‘you’).
   2. So who are you really? (Now we’re getting deeper. You might not know, and right now, that’s fine).
   3. And if that’s really you, what does that mean?
2. What do you want – really want? (To start you may come up with external ‘things’; money, a partner, the perfect job, etc.).
   1. Why do you want that?
   2. Why else?
   3. If you have all of that, why is that important?
   4. So what do all of those ‘why’s’ mean?
3. So if that’s who you really are, and that’s what you really want; what is your purpose in life?
4. What are you going to do about it? (This is about grounding what you’ve come up with in the real world – so you take action and start to live with real authenticity).

The answer to these questions, if you really and truly ponder them, can be truly life transforming. When I’m coaching my clients, I’m there to help support them through the emotional and existential ups and downs they undoubtedly hit as they become the best versions of themselves.

Do you want some one-on-one coaching to be the best you can be? Drop me a line, let’s talk.