The 12 Questions to ReclaimYour Time and Achieve Your Goals
Do you feel like you're wasting precious time and struggling to make progress toward your goals?
It's not uncommon to create to-do lists that never get completed, leading to feelings of overwhelm and unproductive habits like watching Netflix instead.
It’s time to break free from the cycle of unproductive habits, time-wasting, and self-sabotage.
This post explores 12 questions to help you realign your daily routine, eliminate distractions, and propel you toward your desired life.
Let’s dive in!
Q1: What can I do to transform my daily routine to align with my goals?
Reflect on your current habits and identify which ones are helping and hindering your progress.
Make a conscious effort to incorporate activities that support your goals into your daily life.
If you need to, you can track the following:
Screen Time
Tasks Completed
Social Media usage
Daily Spending
Netflix or Youtube watch time
This will give insight into the activities or tasks draining your time and energy.
Q2: What small actions can I take each day to make progress toward my goals
Break down your goals into manageable, bite-sized tasks.
Remember, consistency is key; small, daily actions add up to significant results over time.
You can start with easy wins like:
Going for a 15-minute walk
Learning for 1 hour
Reading for 1 hour
Meditating for 10 minutes
Cleaning or organizing your space
Connecting with a friend or family
30 minutes of intense focus on your high-priority task
Q3: What habits do I need to drop to make the most of my time?
Be brutally honest with yourself about the habits that are holding you back.
Identify and eliminate these distractions to create space for productive activities.
You can drop habits like:
Mindlessly using social media
Watching Netflix during every free moment
Eating junk food
Staying up late and sleeping in late
Negative self-talk
Procrastinating
Q4: How can I eliminate distractions and stay focused on my goals?
Identify your distractions and find ways to minimize them by turning off notifications or creating a dedicated workspace.
Other ways to minimize distractions:
Keep your phone in a separate room from where you work
Use Do Not Disturb or Airplane mode
Move all the ‘fun’ apps to another page or remove them from your home screen
Don’t work in a room with a TV
Focus on one task at a time
Create a dedicated workspace
Use headphones
Establish a routine
Set goals and clear deadlines
Prioritize and focus on tasks that align with your goals and stay committed.
Q5: What steps can I take to prevent self-sabotage and ensure my success?
Identify your triggers for self-sabotage and develop strategies to overcome them.
Triggers for self-sabotage can include:
Fear of failure
Fear of Success
Perfectionism
Low self-esteem
Imposter syndrome
Procrastination
Negative self-talk
Fear of Commitment
Need for control
Remember, awareness is the first step to change.
Q6: What bad habits are standing in the way of my success?
Recognize and confront these habits head-on.
Bad habits can include:
Procrastination
Multitasking
Lack of sleep
Poor time management
Overcommitment
Constantly seeking validation
Negative self-talk
Comparing yourself to others
Gossiping
Replace them with positive, goal-oriented behaviors.
Q7: What is one thing that will help me reach my goals if done consistently?
Identify the most impactful action you can take and commit to doing it consistently.
If you want to grow your business, you can focus on the following:
Creating more high-value content
Expanding your network
Refining your product or service
Contacting people that show interest in your product or service
Consistency builds momentum and drives success.
Q8: What is one thing I can do right now that will set my future self up for success?
Sometimes the easiest way to figure out what to do is to figure out what NOT to do.
Here is a list of actions that will sabotage your future:
Neglecting education and skill development
Consistently making poor financial choices
Ignoring your physical health
Substance abuse
Isolating yourself from social connection
Resisting change
Giving up easily
Avoiding responsibility
Not setting boundaries
Prioritizing short-term gratification over long-term goals
Engaging in negative self-talk
Make decisions today that will positively impact your future, whether investing in education, saving money, or prioritizing self-care.
Q9: What is one belief I have about myself that is holding me back from accomplishing my goals?
Examples of limiting beliefs include:
“I am not good enough.”
“I don’t deserve success or happiness.”
“I can’t change.”
“It’s too late for me.”
“I’m not smart/talented enough.”
“I must be perfect to be successful.”
“I can’t succeed because of my background or circumstances.”
“I am a failure if I make mistakes.”
“I should have achieved more by now.”
“Others are more capable than me.”
Identifying and challenging these limiting beliefs can help you break free from their constraints, allowing you to build self-confidence, take risks, and pursue your goals with a more empowered mindset.
Q11: Am I waiting for permission to get started?
Waiting for permission can manifest in various ways, including:
Not starting a project or business idea because you’re waiting for validation or someone to give you the go-ahead.
Avoid pursuing a promotion or new job opportunity because you’re waiting for someone to encourage you or tell you you’re ready.
Postponing personal goals because you feel you need approval or support from others.
Holding back from expressing your thoughts or opinions in a group setting because you’re waiting for an invitation to speak or validating your perspective.
Not leaving an unhealthy or unfulfilling relationship because you’re waiting for permission to change.
Stalling on making a significant life decision because you’re waiting for external validation or approval.
Suppressing your creative expression because you’re waiting for someone to confirm that your work is worthwhile
Refraining from taking risks or stepping outside your comfort zone because you’re waiting for someone’s approval or reassurance.
Remember, you are the only person who can permit yourself to pursue your dreams.
Empower yourself to take action, trust your instincts, and pursue your goals without relying on external validation.
Stop waiting for the perfect moment and start now.
Q12: When I am 85, will I be proud of how I spent this moment?
You may feel stuck in an unfortunate situation or undesirable circumstance.
Zoom out and look at the bigger picture.
Will whatever you’re going through matter a day, week, month, or several years from now?
Maintain a long-term perspective and evaluate your actions based on their lasting impact on your life.
BONUS: What is one thing you believe to be true about the world that isn’t?
Open yourself up to new perspectives and challenge your preconceived notions.
For example, many people believe that multitasking is an efficient way to get more done in less time.
However, research has shown that multitasking can decrease productivity and lead to more errors, as our brains are not well-equipped to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
By questioning and reevaluating beliefs like this, you can make more informed decisions about effectively pursuing your goals.
Final Thoughts
Achieving your goals and fulfilling life requires self-reflection, intentional action, and consistent effort.
Use these 12 questions to identify areas of improvement in your daily routine and realign your actions with your aspirations.
Remember to challenge your beliefs, eliminate distractions, and prioritize tasks that align with your goals.
Don't wait for the perfect moment—take control of your future now and make decisions that your future self will be proud of.
