“I’m sorry, I know this probably feels more like therapy than marketing…” I half-apologized, half-declared.
We were working through some brand messaging in a workshop that started with some basic questions about how the business is structured and makes money, but then quickly (and intentionally) got into the deeper waters of the brand story.
Thankfully, this leader didn’t get up and walk out of the room, but instead fully engaged and opened up to the process.
I had my own therapist in mind as we worked through the line of questioning…
“You need to get really clear about what you want…and that only comes from getting really curious first.”
I don’t know about you, but for me, getting clear on what I DON’T want is super simple.
I never want to be this.
I for sure don’t want to do that.
I sure as hell want to avoid this reality.
But, being against something, isn’t the same as being FOR something, with specific clarity. And in order to be clear, it’s critical to be curious first.
As I begin to do my own messy “who do I want to be, and what do I want to do with my life” 2022 vision work, here are 10 questions I’m using to help guide me to clarity. These are primarily centered around work, but can most definitely translate to the other important areas of your life.
Perhaps a couple of them will resonate with you…
1. What is a specific time this year when you felt most alive?
2. If money were no concern, what project or skill would you tackle next year?
3. If no meetings were scheduled for you, how would you fill your day?
4. When are you at your best?
5. When are you most drained / at your worst?
6. What is your superpower? The thing others see in you and tell you about, often?
7. If you had to list three problems you’re uniquely positioned to solve, what would they be?
8. What is the most significant thing you were part of / accomplished this year?
9. What dream / vision / idea / concept / solution is right under the surface that you’re afraid to tell someone about?
10. When it’s all said and done, what do you want to remembered for?
Go ahead, get out a piece of paper, a whiteboard, or a blinking cursor…
There are hundreds of other questions that will create curiosity and spark clarity. What are some you use?
I’m curious to hear…
