Forbes
Powerful Questions To Go From Distracted to Fulfilled
By: Lori Hil
Type “How to live a fulfilled life” into Google and you get 39,300,000 results in 0.58 seconds flat.
The web is full of information and opinions. Much of it conflicting. So, how is one to truly live his or her best life?
While there may be no such thing as work-life balance in the traditional sense of the word, you can find your balance by prioritizing your values. By focusing on what matters to you.
The problem is there is so much distraction. #ShinyObjectSyndromeIsReal
Fortunately, there are some powerful questions you can ask yourself to cut out the less important that is not helping you meet your goals and hone in on what really matters.
Jonathan Goodman, entrepreneur, creator of Online Trainer Academy and dad to a 7-month-old, lives his life counter to the hustle culture. He does deep and thoughtful work and runs his 7-figure business and team while still having time to spend with his wife and baby. He even goes on retreats with friends to Costa Rica.
Goodman finds his kind of balance by asking some powerful questions or what he refers to as “cognitive filters.” These questions help him live the Online Trainer Academy motto,
Have more freedom. Make more money. Help more people.
Filters reduce the distractions that come into his business and life and help Goodman maximize his time to develop as a whole person.
He says,
1.Will this truly impact my business, personal life, or society?
I say no to almost all speaking gigs even if they are willing to pay me many thousands of dollars. The money won’t impact my business, it’ll hurt my personal life, and me speaking at another entrepreneur or fitness event won’t do anything for the greater good. On a similar note, I’m happy to take an afternoon to speak to a local college or Skype into a University class.
2.Am I acting emotionally or irrationally right now?
I won’t ever say yes to anything in the moment. No matter what, I take a step back, count to ten, and ask myself honestly this question.
3.Will this change anything that I do?
We have too much data and too many stats and it paralyzes us.
When contemplating acquiring more data ask yourself whether it will change anything you do based off of the results. Over-testing leads to procrastination.
4.Will this allow me to be more present in my work or with the ones that I love?
Knowing when to say ‘no’ is the most important business asset I have. If something won’t help me produce better work, reach more, or spend more time with loved ones, I say no.
Answering these important questions have allowed Goodman to build a successful, sustainable business with tens of thousands of followers while also staying present, focused and productive too.
There may be times when you need to go all out on your goals or time when a family member or friend needs extra attention. Building a sustainable life allows for those ebbs and flows without being in constant burnout mode.
Focus on sustainable changes that will give you the life you want in the big picture. These changes trickle down to your day to day.
Try adopting Goodman’s four questions and see where they take you.
