What’s the secret to your success and happiness? Here are two questions to reveal your answers.
We all keep secrets. Otherwise, we’d be exposed and vulnerable and have fewer friends. But we also keep secrets from ourselves – about what’s most important, our hidden fears, and desires. And within your secrets are your biggest opportunities.
I ask two questions of my clients to reveal “secret” information: First, tell me something about your profession most people don’t know or may never guess. What are the details, frustrations, and recurring problems we don’t see, but are critical to your success?
The personal version of this question: what’s the one thing no one knows that causes you the most inner conflict, frustration, or hardship?
Second question. What is the one thing I couldn’t possibly know that makes your work rewarding? When you get it exactly right, what does that look like, and how does it make you feel?
Or, same question for you, personally: When you are in alignment, at peace, and at the top of your game, what does that look and feel like? What’s the greatest joy or satisfaction you experience, regularly or occasionally?
These two answers reveal the secret for your future breakthrough: First, the one thing that changes everything. If you were to master the toughest recurring problem, rework the frustrating process, or alleviate your secret pain or harmful habit, you will have cracked the code for your transformation or competitive advantage. Imagine how much your job or life would improve if you could reduce or eliminate your greatest source of friction.
Secondly, you’ve found the leverage to make it happen: your greatest satisfactions or higher purpose; what you love about your job and life. You can use your passions to solve your problems, both as drivers and rewards. The real secret: the most happy and successful, people align what they love and what they do.
But Dan, how exactly do I do this? I don’t know. Those are your secrets. However, if you honestly answer these questions, you may discover you can alleviate your most difficult burdens while indulging in your greatest joys. Until next week, stay Off Balance On Purpose.