UNCOMFORTABLE questions are not meant to be easy. They challenge your thinking, push you out of autopilot and force you to evaluate your life’s direction. Growth often requires discomfort which is why we should regularly audit our lives.
Today, we will explore questions that when combined with last week’s, will help to guide you towards better habits. Once more, grab a pen and a paper and take a moment to answer these questions.
If you knew you could not fail, what dream would you go all in on?
Fear of failure stops more dreams than failure itself. How many times have you hesitated to take a risk, not because you lack ability, but because you fear embarrassment, disappointment or the judgement of others?
If success was guaranteed what would you do differently? Would you quit your job and start your own business? Would you move to a new country? Would you finally write that book, step onto that stage or launch that project you have been secretly thinking about?
Are the people around you pushing you forward or holding you back?
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Jim Rohn famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” That statement must make you stop and think, who’s in your inner circle?
The people you surround yourself with either push you towards your potential or keep you stuck in one place. Are your friends and colleagues inspiring you, challenging you and supporting your goals? Or are they reinforcing bad habits, negativity and complacency?
The truth is, not everyone in your life wants to see you succeed. Sometimes, even those closest to you feel threatened by your growth. That’s why it’s important to build relationships with people who challenge you to be better, not just those who make you comfortable.
If someone else had all your daily habits, would you bet on them to succeed?
Success is not built in a day; it’s built-in daily habits. Imagine someone else was living your exact routine, ie waking up when you do, eating what you eat, spending their free time as you do. Would you bet money that this person is on the path to success?
If the answer is no, that’s a wake-up call.
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, puts it simply: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” In other words, your success is not determined by your dreams, it’s determined by what you do every single day.
Are you making choices your future self will thank you for or regret?
Every decision you make today, big or small affects the person you will become. Are your current choices leading to long-term growth and fulfilment or are they simply providing temporary comfort at the expense of your future?
Skipping workouts, procrastinating on important tasks, spending money recklessly or staying in relationships that drain you, are choices your future self may regret. On the other hand, pushing through discomfort, developing discipline, investing in yourself and taking calculated risks are the decisions your future self will thank you for.
Jeff Bezos, when making major life decisions, uses what he calls the regret minimisation framework. He asks himself: “When I’m 80 years old, will I regret not doing this?” If the answer is yes, he goes for it.
Uncomfortable questions force us to face the reality of our lives. They push us to break free from routine, challenge limiting beliefs, and take responsibility for our future. The good news? It’s never too late to change.
So, ask yourself:
lAre you playing it safe or chasing your true potential?
lAre your relationships helping you to grow or holding you back?
lAre your daily habits aligned with success?
lAre you making choices that your future self will thank you for?
These aren’t just questions, they’re the foundation of the life you build. And the most important question of all is: What will you do with the answers?
- Rutendo Kureya is a medical student at Saint Petersburg State Paediatric Medical University, Russia. She is passionate about issues concerning the state and welfare of fellow Zimbabweans. She can be reached at kureyaru@gmail.com. Mobile: +7 996 274 98 66 Facebook: Rutendo Kureya. She writes here in her personal capacity.
