Eight questions to ask yourself for a happy 2018

Alexandra Rickerby - 15 Dec 17

What inspires you? What makes you happy? 9 questions to ask in 2018.

I have had the pleasure of coaching some truly inspirational men and women throughout my career and 2017 was no exception. I have kept a hand in in the world of coaching since I quit my corporate job to be at home with our son Freddie. Most of the coaching work I do now is with startups and I do some pro-bono work for the cabinet office which I love.

As the year comes to an end and a new year begins I have begun discussing with my coachees what they want from 2018. It never ceases to amaze me is just how little headspace we give to the questions “what inspires me” and “what makes me happy”.

The women and men I have coached have all struggled at some point or another with the same things. These are:

1. A complete lack of awareness of how amazing they are and no way of knowing how to begin to articulate their brilliance

2. Self-doubt – are they really as good as others say they are?

3. A desire to do more – much more with their lives and no way of knowing how to start.

These three things apply to everyone – Directors, Personal Assistants, Managers and Executives of all levels and of course any Stay At Home Parent. I am yet to meet anyone who doesn’t need some space to talk these things through. So, for those who don’t know where to start, don’t have a coach or someone who they can have headspace with to spark some future thoughts here is a list of questions everyone should ask themselves over the Christmas break.

Get yourself a funky coloured pen, a new notebook or a new document on your computer and go go go.

Ask yourself…

1. What propels you forward?

2. What are you running away from?

3. What are you amazing at?

4. What makes you happy? I mean REALLY ACTUALLY HAPPY

5. What inspires you – in work, in life, in love, in the family, in the world?

Ask others…..(Get yourself a wad of feedback..you can NEVER have enough)

1. What are you brilliant at? (Get over feeling uncomfortable about this question and ask your family, your lover, your colleagues, your employees and (if you have one – mine is my 2-year-old!) your boss and your bosses boss)

2. What could you do differently? (Be brave – this question is how you begin to work out what you want, what you can learn and how you impact on others) Just by asking this question you are already having a big impact on those around you and on how you are perceived.

3. How can I get…more time, more exercise, more cash, more responsibility, more adventures. more appreciation, more praise, more strategic work, more headspace etc – fill this in as is relevant for you)

Then, and this is the crucial bit, give yourself  THE SPACE to think it all through. Start with half an hour on your own away from your normal surroundings so that your mind is free to process it all.

This can take some time – these are big questions and so if you need to just pick three to do so that you don’t overwhelm yourself.

Another way to get things going is to get someone else to do it with you. It means you HAVE TO DO IT. Share your thoughts with them and encourage one another through questioning and reassurance. Doing these things is only ever worth it if you can get meaningful actions from it so draw down no more than three things for you to continue, start or stop in 2018. 

Finally, enjoy it. Enjoy taking the time to think just about you and what you love and hopefully you will start 2018 with a new focus and inner belief that inspires you on to whatever it is that makes you happy.

If you enjoyed reading this article please like my facebook page at facebook.com/flapsandbaps. I post everything there first. Please do share flapsandbaps with your friends and loved ones who you think will enjoy it too and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Alexandra Rickerby

View profile for posts, events and more info