Six uncomfortable questions to ask yourself before 2025 ends

At this time of year, it’s usual to reflect on what we want to accomplish before the year comes to a close. You may even be planning for the following year, both personally and professionally. It’s a theme that frequently comes up for my clients and one I always check in on for my business and myself. This year, I want to set you a challenge. And that challenge is to answer six uncomfortable questions before 2025 ends.

It won’t surprise you that I frequently write about goal setting. If you are new to my articles, you may have missed the previous incarnations. So, take a moment to review the earlier titles on this theme.

They include:

Is it time for a September res-set from September 2024
It’s time to make hopeful goals from March 2021
Four ways to set gentle goals after a year in survival mode from December 2020
How to reach your goals when you can’t afford a coach … yet, from December 2018
A simple way to set goals, any time of the year, from January 2018

You may notice that all of these articles are gentle in their approach. That they are supportive and allow people to develop their version of success. This is always my style when working with clients; however, once trust and rapport have been established, there is scope to ask more direct and challenging questions!
Questions that enable people to reflect on their purpose, values, career, confidence, balance and boundaries, amongst other things.
Before I share some of these questions, let me explain why it’s essential to ask questions that make you feel uncomfortable.

Many of my clients discuss the moments of discomfort they experience during the coaching process. When a question challenges their assumptions, behaviours or beliefs, it leads them to a new perspective. Without that initial conversation, they wouldn’t have opened their minds and followed the path this reflection led them down.  The results can vary; it may lead to having a long-overdue conversation, applying for that dream job, or holding a boundary with a difficult colleague.
It starts a circle of discomfort and growth; the thought leads to action. The action leads to learning. The learning leads to confidence in moving past discomfort. The power of discomfort isn’t just anecdotal; studies show that personal growth can be achieved by seeking it out.

Have you had a similar experience?

Today, we will begin that journey together by asking questions that may make you feel uncomfortable. In an ideal world, we would be face-to-face during this process, and I would hold you accountable for creating an action plan.
But, instead, we are doing it via the wonders of the internet!

I invite you to ask yourself these questions, and let’s see what you uncover.

1. If we were to meet in 12 months and everything about your personal and professional life remained the same, how would you feel?
2. What are you lying to yourself about right now?
3. What do you wish people knew about you and your life right now?
4. What is keeping you awake at night?
5. If your best friend were making the choices you are right now, what would you think?
6. What do you judge others for? How much of that do you do, too?

If you are naturally a reflective person, these questions may not feel too challenging; your “comfort zone” may be wider than others. That isn’t to say they aren’t worth asking! You can create “the stretch” by working through them with others; if not a professional coach, then at least someone that you trust.

Challenging questions are the beginnings of purposeful conversations. When you are expected to explain your thoughts and feelings, and then held accountable for the next steps, discomfort becomes a strength.
You build your tolerance, and the growth increases! Now it’s your turn.

When you feel ready, I’d love to know the answers to these questions.   If they made you feel uncomfortable, did you manage to push past that and have some powerful discussions?

If you would like to speak more about how I can help you, or your team, create a career to enjoy, book in a call here.