MARTIN Luther once asked, “If you knew tomorrow was your last day on earth, how would you spend it?”
This powerful question forces us to reflect on what truly matters. Many of us live as if we have unlimited time, assuming we will eventually achieve our goals.
In reality, although we all have 24 hours a day, some people succeed while others remain stuck.
The difference often lies in determination, discipline and drive, some of the core traits of successful individuals.
In today’s article, we will explore a few uncomfortable questions that reveal how close or how far we are from our goals. Take a moment, grab a pen and paper and reflect on your answers.
If the next 1 000 days looked exactly like yesterday, would you be closer to or further away from your dreams?
The habits you repeat daily shape your future. If you don’t intentionally move towards your goals, you may be unconsciously drifting further away. Consider whether your current routine aligns with your vision. If not, what needs to change and how can you make this change?
If a stranger studied your routine, what would they assume your priorities are?
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Our true priorities are not found in what we say we value but in how we spend our time. If an outsider observed your daily habits, what would they conclude? Are you really who you think you are? Are you investing time in your dreams, or are distractions and excuses stealing your potential?
What is the biggest lie you tell yourself about why you are not where you want to be?
Many of us have a default excuse, a reason we tell ourselves for why we have not achieved certain things. Is it a lack of time, money or opportunity? Often, these are just stories we cling to because taking full responsibility for our progress is uncomfortable. Be honest with yourself. What’s holding you back and is it truly an obstacle or just an excuse?
If your 12-year-old self met you today, would they be proud or disappointed?
Think back to your younger self, the version of you that dreamed freely and believed anything was possible. Would they admire who you have become or would they feel let down? If the answer is not what you hoped for, you have the power to change that.
What is the number one thing you are procrastinating, even though you know it could change your life?
Procrastination is one of the greatest barriers to success. Often, we delay important actions out of fear, ie fear of failure, judgement or even success itself. Nevertheless, the truth is, whatever you are avoiding will still be waiting for you tomorrow. Instead of running away from responsibility, take one step towards it today. The only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing. Do the thing.
Have you been consistent enough to deserve the results you want?
Success is not an overnight event; it’s the result of long-term effort. Friedrich Nietzsche, the influential German philosopher, once said, “The essential thing in ‘heaven and earth’ is that there should be a long obedience in the same direction; thereby results and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living.”
Sadly, many people quit before they see progress. Consistency, even when results are not immediate, is key. Are you putting in enough effort to justify your expectations?
Whatever path you choose, its effects will ripple through your life. If you have a dream or vision, don’t abandon it just because progress seems slow. As Napoleon Bonaparte wisely said: “Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have strength.” Most people give up when things get tough, but success belongs to those who persist.
The answers to these uncomfortable questions may not always be easy, but they offer clarity. Reflect honestly, take action and move forward. Your future self is counting on you.
- 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.
